Persistent Absence & EBSNA
Support for learners whose attendance has reduced because accessing education has become emotionally difficult.
Alternative Provision
Personalised Alternative Provision for Children & Young People
Flexible, relationship-led education for learners who need a different pathway to engage with learning, rebuild confidence and make meaningful progress.
Reconnect Learning supports children and young people whose education has been affected by EBSNA, persistent absence, SEND, SEMH needs, exclusion, placement breakdown or disrupted learning.
Personalised Education
Reconnect. Rebuild. Achieve.
Delivery
1:1 & Personalised
Support
SEND & EBSNA Aware
Learning
Academic & Personal Development
Purpose
Progression & Reintegration
A Different Approach
Alternative provision should lead somewhere meaningful
Reconnect Learning provides personalised alternative provision for learners who are unable to access education successfully through a standard timetable or setting.
Support may be required because of persistent absence, emotionally based school non-attendance, SEND, SEMH needs, exclusion risk, placement breakdown or a period of interrupted education.
We do not see alternative provision as somewhere a young person is simply sent. Provision should have clear outcomes, regular review and a defined purpose — whether that is re-engagement, qualification progress, reintegration, transition or preparation for adulthood.
Our Principle
The right alternative provision should help a learner reconnect with education — not simply spend time away from it.
Who We Support
Provision shaped around the learner's barriers, strengths and next step
Learners rarely fit neatly into a single category. Suitability is considered individually using referral information, learner voice, safeguarding and risk information, starting points and intended outcomes.
SEND & EHCP Needs
Personalised teaching that considers communication, additional needs, sensory differences and agreed education outcomes.
SEMH Needs
Flexible, relationship-led support for learners whose emotional or social needs affect participation in education.
Exclusion Risk
Targeted intervention designed to rebuild engagement and reduce further deterioration in a learner's educational placement.
Permanently Excluded Learners
Structured education and support while an appropriate longer-term educational pathway is identified.
Interrupted Education
Education continuity for learners awaiting placement, moving between settings or experiencing significant disruption to learning.
Personalised Provision
What alternative provision may include
Provision is built around the referral rather than forcing every learner into the same programme. Academic learning can sit alongside engagement, mentoring, life skills and preparation for the learner's next destination.
1:1 English & Maths Tuition
GCSE Subject Support
Functional Skills
Mentoring & Engagement
SEND-Aware Teaching
EBSNA Support
Attendance & Routine Rebuilding
Reintegration Planning
Life Skills & Independence
Careers & Aspirations
Preparation for Adulthood
Progress Monitoring & Reporting
Flexible Delivery
Different learners need different routes back into learning
Delivery arrangements are agreed following suitability, safeguarding and risk considerations. The most appropriate model depends on the learner and the purpose of the referral.
1:1 Tuition
Personalised academic and engagement support around the learner's starting point.
Home & Outreach
Education delivered in an agreed setting following appropriate planning and risk assessment.
Online Learning
Live safeguarded online education where remote delivery is appropriate for the learner.
Blended Provision
Planned combinations of face-to-face, online, academic and mentoring support.
In-School Intervention
Targeted support designed to prevent exclusion or strengthen engagement.
Short-Term Intervention
Focused provision around a particular barrier, transition or education outcome.
Small Group Provision
Structured learning and personal development with carefully managed peer interaction.
Reintegration Support
Gradual preparation for return to education, transition or another positive destination.
Flagship Reintegration Pathway
Reconnect 12™
Reconnect 12™ is our structured 12-week re-engagement and reintegration pathway for learners experiencing persistent absence, EBSNA, exclusion risk or disrupted education.
Reconnect
Build trust, understand barriers, establish starting points and agree personalised priorities.
Rebuild
Strengthen routine, confidence, engagement, emotional readiness and academic participation.
Achieve
Prepare for reintegration, transition or another agreed next step supported by review and reporting.
Referral & Planning
A clear process from referral to review
Alternative provision should begin with clear information, agreed outcomes and safe delivery arrangements.
1
Referral
Needs, history, risks and intended outcomes are shared.
2
Suitability
We consider whether the referral can be supported appropriately.
3
Planning
Delivery, communication, risks and outcomes are agreed.
4
Provision
Support begins with clear expectations and starting points.
5
Review
Progress, attendance, engagement and next steps are reviewed.
Monitoring & Outcomes
Evidence that provision is making a difference
Reporting arrangements are agreed around the referral and intended outcomes, giving commissioners and professionals visibility of engagement, progress, concerns and next steps.
Attendance & Participation
Attendance, punctuality, engagement and barriers affecting access to learning.
Academic Progress
Progress against starting points, subject targets and agreed learning outcomes.
Engagement & Confidence
Participation, routine, communication, independence and readiness to learn.
Safeguarding & Concerns
Appropriate escalation of safeguarding, welfare, attendance or delivery concerns.
Learner & Family Voice
Relevant learner and parent or carer feedback used to inform provision and review.
Transition & Next Steps
Recommendations and planning when provision changes, concludes or progresses.
Safeguarding-Led Practice
Safe delivery is planned before provision starts
Appropriate safeguarding and delivery risks are considered before support begins and reviewed when circumstances change.
Tutors and staff follow clear safeguarding, professional-boundary, communication and escalation procedures.
Quality & Accountability
Clear controls around every placement
Safer recruitment & vetting
Tutor matching & induction
Attendance & progress reporting
Regular review & quality assurance
Safeguarding escalation routes
Transition & exit planning
Alternative Provision FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is alternative provision?
Alternative provision is education arranged outside or alongside a learner's usual mainstream education when a different approach is required to meet their needs and circumstances.
Who can make a referral?
Schools, local authorities, commissioners, professionals, care providers and families can contact Reconnect Learning to discuss a learner.
Does alternative provision have to be full-time?
No. Provision may be part-time, short-term, blended or form part of a wider education package, depending on the referral and intended outcomes.
Can you support learners with SEND or an EHCP?
Provision can be personalised around identified SEND needs and relevant outcomes, subject to suitability and the information available.
Can alternative provision support EBSNA?
Yes. A personalised pathway can support gradual re-engagement where emotional barriers are affecting a learner's ability to access education.
Can provision be delivered online?
Yes, where live online learning is suitable for the learner and can be delivered safely within the agreed arrangements.
How is progress measured?
Outcomes may include attendance, engagement, confidence, academic progress, routine, independence and readiness for the next step.
How quickly can alternative provision start?
Timescales depend on the referral information, suitability, safeguarding and risk checks, tutor matching and agreed delivery arrangements.