Freedom of information response

I am writing to make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. I kindly request information regarding the alternative education providers known to operate within your local authority or those that you commission for educational services. This information has been requested to aid the development of a UK wide directory of Alternative Provision providers (www.apdirectory.co.uk) that will help schools, SEND professionals and Local Authorities to source high quality provision, that is safe, secure and appropriate to individual needs of each student.

Specifically, I am seeking the following information:

•    A list of all alternative education providers currently known or commissioned to your local authority, including their name, address, postcode, website address and e-mail address.

Please provide the requested information in an electronic table format, such as a excel spreadsheet or Word document, if possible. If the information is not available in electronic table format, please provide it in any other format that is accessible.

The definition used for Alternative Provision is:

“Alternative Provision is defined as ‘education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; education arranged by schools for pupils on a fixed period exclusion; and pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour’ (DfE 2016). Schools can use such provision to try to prevent exclusions, or to re-engage pupils in their education. Pupil referral units are themselves a form of alternative provision.”