Non-School Alternative Provision Standards
Make sure you can evidence compliance against the new DfE standards for ‘Non-School’ Alternative Provision.
Get your non-school AP compliant—fast
A complete, ready-to-use toolkit to evidence the DfE’s Non-School Alternative Provision – Voluntary National Standards (Sept 2025).
50+ editable policies, audits and forms, plus a 60-minute consultation to tailor it to your setting.
The Department for Education has published a set of non-school alternative provision standards for unregistered or non-school alternative provision. These are voluntary at the moment but will become mandatory for all unregistered AP. Get ahead of the changes with chance to embed the practice before it becomes law.
These standards are expected to be taken up by LAs in commissioning checks and will be linked to new upcoming legislation around the use of ‘non-school’ alternative provision. See more details about the upcoming plans and standards on our updates page.
Get access to our support package to help you meet the DfE's Standards for Non-School Alternative Provision. It includes a detailed look at the framework and 50+ downloadable and editable documents to use to support your evidence base.
What’s Included?
50+ editable templates including referral forms, pupil plans, SLAs and communication agreements
a full policy suite aligned to the new standards
Health and Safety audits and recording tools
Induction plans (students and staff, curriculum planning and parent brochure examples)
1x 60 minute consultation with an AP specialist (use it for gap analysis, implementation planning or general advice)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you keep templates updated?
Yes, as standards are mandated or DfE guidance changes our pack is updated.
Who is it for?
The pack is designed to meet the standards for all non-school alternative provisions. These were previously known as unregistered and cover everything from tutoring and outreach services to more structured premises-based provisions.
What can I use the consultation for?
It’s your time. We can help with advice and guidance about whatever is helpful. Keeping on the right side of registration, moving to independent school status or just general practice improvement - if we can help, we will.
Will this make us compliant?
This package gives you the templates and guidance to evidence the standards. Compliance remains your responsibility but we give you the tools to take the hard work out of proving your quality.
How do I use the resource?
We’ve broken down each standard with advice on how to meet it and links for downloads to support your evidence files. You can edit these with your information or use them to drive new improved processes.
What if we need more support?
We offer package holders a discounted rate for site visits, external audits and further consultations.
“With Close the Gaps support and guidance we have recently become an approved alternative educational provider for several LAs in Greater Manchester and the North West.”
“Having someone as experienced as yourself coming in.....who understands our specialised context and can both see and share the aspirational vision we have for our young people has been refreshing.”
Get access to our support package to help you meet the DfE's Standards for Non-School Alternative Provision. It includes a detailed look at the framework and 50+ downloadable and editable documents to use to support your evidence base.
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