388 - Prior Information Notice / Soft Market Testing Exercise for Alternative Education

<p>Wigan Council Education Services are seeking expressions of interest from Alternative Provision providers or education settings who are able to establish Alternative provision for Wigan Pupils. This provision would be to support the councils Excellence in Education Strategy and SEND priority plan ensuring an education system that is inclusive of all pupils. Alternative provision would provide complementary support to secondary age pupils, this would enhance the curriculum offer in their school/setting or offer an alternative to school for pupils who are permanently excluded from their setting and in need of a registered AP provider to support their reintegration into a suitable setting. Any provider expressing interest would need to be compliant with national statutory guidance for AP, safeguarding and other guidance relating to education settings. For those providers expressing an interest in supporting permanently excluded pupils there would be a requirement to be OFSTED registered to allow pupils to go on the &lsquo;school roll&rsquo;. Alternative Provision - statutory Guidance for LAs 2013 Keeping children safe in education 2021 (publishing.service.gov.uk) In order to express interest in supporting Wigan Council to meet the needs of these pupils, providers must meet all of the following criteria. Providers must be able to: &bull; Demonstrate significant experience in delivery of Alternative Provision and or supporting Special Educational Needs. &bull; Offer direct delivery to pupils at a site in or close to Wigan Borough. &bull; Deliver programmes of support and not subcontract to others. &bull; Demonstrate a highly skilled workforce able to deliver high quality Alternative Provision or an existing model they are using that can be replicated in Wigan borough. If you feel you meet all of these essential criteria please complete the form attached with an outline of your provision.</p>