Alternative (Education) Provision in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire County Council would like to invite all Alternative Education Providers to our Provider Forum to explore the Oxfordshire County Council Open Framework for Alternative Education Provision. The objectives of the session will be as follows: • To understand Alternative Education Provision and the future of AEP in Oxfordshire • To review OCC’s AEP Framework • To explore key aspects of the service specification • To explore keys areas when applying to join the framework • To explore the next application timeframe and what will be in place from September 2025 • The role of procurement in AEP • The role of brokerage in AEP • Quality and Improvement processes in AEP • An opportunity for questions and discussion Please feel free to reach out to us if there are any questions you would like to address in this meeting.

Invites will be sent out on a first come first served basis. WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE PROVISION?

Alternative Provision (AP) provides education and support to often vulnerable pupils and each placement has the potential to transform a child’s life chances. AP is education arranged and commissioned for pupils of compulsory school age outside of mainstream or special schools, who would not otherwise receive suitable education for any reason.

AP will be commissioned from providers using an Open Framework to support the Council in meeting its statutory responsibilities by providing a mechanism to purchase from quality assured Service Providers to deliver a variety of educational services to CYP. The purpose of the Framework is to ensure Children and Young People (CYP) that require AP have access to high quality and appropriate alternative education provision from a range of approved, quality assured providers with agreed rates, who demonstrate the skills and experience to meet the needs of the CYP and is intended to facilitate the placement of vulnerable learners by providing an online directory of approved providers and clarity on rates for services offered.