Most schools, academies and special schools in Reading, together with BFfC service teams (part of Reading Borough Council), purchase Alternative Provision (AP) from a wide range of providers. Most of this commissioning activity has been carried out on an individual school basis with varying arrangements for contracting. To support schools with this commissioning activity and maintain a consistent approach to purchasing AP, Brighter Futures for Children, on behalf of Reading schools, has carried out a provider screening process in order to publish a Directory of Alternative Providers.

The provider screening process ensures that providers on the directory meet minimum standards, listed in the accordion below. 

PLEASE NOTE: The screening process is a suitability check only. It does not assess the quality of provision and therefore should not be seen as a recommendation list, but rather a record of all providers who have met the minimum standards to be classed as suitable.

The directory only shows providers who have applied to, and passed the minimum standards listed above, and have been successful in gaining a place on Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) Alternative Provision Directory.

It is important to note that although RBC has completed these checks on providers, the decision to purchase any services rests with the school. The school will be required to carry out any other checks that it feels are necessary before placing any child.

This includes carrying out relevant site visits. The Council has not carried out any site visits to providers included in this directory. The purchasing schools are responsible for monitoring students at these providers, and to check the relevant compliancy documents and working practices are being adhered to.

This is not a recommendation list. Schools are free to purchase services from whichever providers they deem appropriate and suitable for each pupil requiring AP, using the school’s own quality assurance processes.