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Alternative Provision Placements & Referrals
A Clear, Collaborative Route into The Orchard
The Orchard provides commissioned Alternative Provision for learners aged 8–16 who benefit from a calm, structured and practical approach to education.
We work collaboratively with schools, Local Authorities and other authorised services to consider each learner’s strengths, needs, intended outcomes and suitability for our active equine, animal care and land-based environment.
Placements are available throughout the academic year, subject to assessment, suitability, commissioning arrangements and current capacity.
Who Can Commission a Placement?
Alternative Provision placements may be commissioned by:
Schools and academies
Local Authorities
Virtual Schools
SEND services
Early Help services
Children’s Social Care
Other authorised education or care commissioning teams
Parents and carers are welcome to make an initial enquiry or share information with the learner’s school or Local Authority. However, they cannot privately fund an Alternative Provision placement directly.
What Can a Placement Provide?
Depending on the learner’s individual needs and intended outcomes, a placement may provide:
A focused short-term intervention
Support with re-engagement in education
A personalised longer-term placement
Development of confidence and emotional regulation
Practical and wider curriculum learning
Preparation for reintegration
Progression towards vocational education
Preparation for further education, training and adulthood
The learner may access Reins & Roots, Nurture & Nature, Ground & Growth or an agreed combination of Foundation Programmes.
Attendance, programme content, support arrangements, intended outcomes and placement length are agreed individually with the commissioning organisation.
Before Making a Referral
Our referral and assessment process considers the learner’s:
Strengths, interests and aspirations
Educational and personal-development needs
Communication abilities
Sensory and emotional-regulation needs
Behaviour and relevant risks
Health, mobility and medical considerations
Supervision and staffing requirements
Current education and attendance
EHCP outcomes, where applicable
Purpose and intended outcomes of the placement
Suitability for the practical learning environment
Learners must be able to communicate their essential needs through spoken language, understand and respond to immediate safety instructions and participate safely within the agreed staffing arrangements.
Additional 1:1 support may be considered where it is identified through assessment, available, appropriately funded and agreed as part of the commissioned placement.
The Referral Process
1. Initial Enquiry or Referral
The commissioning organisation submits an initial referral with information about the learner, the reason for the proposed placement and the intended outcomes.
Parents and carers may make an initial enquiry, but formal commissioning must be agreed before a placement can begin.
2. Information Gathering
We review the information provided and may request relevant documents from the referring organisation.
This may include the learner’s EHCP, education history, current support arrangements, risk information, professional reports and existing plans or assessments.
Information should be shared securely and with the appropriate consent.
3. Initial Review
The Orchard considers whether the referral appears potentially suitable, taking account of:
The learner’s needs and intended outcomes
Safety and supervision requirements
The proposed attendance pattern
Available staffing and resources
Compatibility with the environment
Current programme capacity
Submitting a referral does not guarantee that it will progress to assessment or that a placement will be offered.
4. Supported Introduction and Assessment Visit
Where a referral appears potentially suitable, the learner may be invited to visit The Orchard with their parent, carer or involved professional.
This provides an opportunity to introduce the environment, meet members of staff and support further assessment of the learner’s communication, engagement, practical readiness and safety.
This is an individual AP assessment visit. It is not a Post-16 Meet & Discover Day and does not confirm that a placement will be offered.
5. Placement Decision and Proposal
Following assessment and discussion with the commissioning organisation, The Orchard confirms whether it can offer a safe, suitable and educationally meaningful placement.
Where a placement is considered appropriate, we prepare a proposal setting out:
The recommended Foundation Programme or combination of pathways
Proposed attendance and placement length
Intended educational and personal-development outcomes
Staffing and support arrangements
Review and reporting arrangements
Funding and commissioning requirements
Proposed transition and start arrangements
6. Commissioning and Placement Agreement
A placement is confirmed only when the commissioning organisation has formally agreed the proposal, funding and required support arrangements.
A placement agreement will set out responsibilities, attendance expectations, intended outcomes, communication arrangements and review processes.
7. Transition, Review and Progression
The learner begins through a planned transition appropriate to their needs.
Progress is monitored and reviewed with the learner, family or carers, commissioning organisation and involved professionals where appropriate.
Reviews may consider:
Attendance and engagement
Personal development and wellbeing
Communication and relationships
Practical learning
Independence and responsibility
EHCP outcomes, where applicable
Progress towards the intended placement outcomes
Readiness for reintegration or the learner’s next step
Every placement has a clear purpose and a focus on meaningful progress.
Make an Alternative Provision Referral
Use our dedicated referral form to provide the initial information required for us to consider the learner and proposed placement.
Please provide accurate and relevant information. Do not send sensitive documents through general email. Where additional records are required, our team will explain how they can be shared securely.
Our team will review the referral and contact the referring organisation about the appropriate next step.
Submitting a referral does not guarantee assessment, admission or placement availability. A placement is offered only where The Orchard is satisfied that it can meet the learner’s needs safely, appropriately and meaningfully.
Looking for a Different Route?
Post-16 Education
Young people, families and professionals can register interest in a Post-16 place. Admission remains subject to assessment, suitability, programme availability and agreed funding arrangements.
Home Education
Home Education Groups are a separate, parent-funded enrichment offer and do not use the commissioned placement referral process.