Non-School Alternative Provision Standards
The DfE’s Non-School Alternative Provision Standards are voluntary. For now. Local authorities are already using them in commissioning checks. Legislation to make them mandatory is in development.
If you run an ‘unregistered’ or non-school AP - tutoring, outreach, premises-based or anything in between - this is the moment to get prepared. Not when it becomes law, now whilst you have time to embed the practice rather than scramble to prove it.
Get your DfE standards evidence file ready.
The Non-School AP Standards Pack gives you 50+ editable policies, audits, forms and evidence tools aligned to the DfE voluntary standards, plus a 60 minute consultation to help you apply them to your setting.
Built for tutoring providers, outreach services, mentoring projects, vocational APs, premises-based APs and other non-school AP settings preparing for local authority QA, commissioning checks or for future regulation.
Get non-school AP evidence ready —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.
Need to pay by invoice or purchase order? Got further questions Contact us at: support@closethegaps.co.uk
Every piece of paperwork and policy that we use has been proven, through LA QA’s, Ofsted and through some of the 100’s of APs we’ve worked with. We’ve worked with settings and LAs across the country to support improvements in practice and successful QAs.
“Really helpful, practical advice. Blew away the smoke and mirrors of LA advice.”
AP Pioneer
What People Are Saying
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"Close the gaps has been invaluable in helping to assist us in setting up our new alternative provision. Without Marks guidance we would not have been able to achieve the goals we have set as a new company whilst also offering great value for money."
— AP Head
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"Really grateful for your support and guidance"
— Founder - New AP Provision
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"With Mark's support and guidance we have recently become an approved alternative educational provider for several LA's in Greater Manchester and the North West."
— CEO AP and Community Group
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.
Some of the organisations Close the Gaps is trusted by:
