Alternative Provision Due Diligence Checklist: 7 Things Every School Should Check

Choosing the right Alternative Provision is one of the most important decisions a school can make for a child or young person. Beyond finding a provider that meets a learner’s needs, schools have a responsibility to ensure the provision is safe, well led and capable of delivering high-quality education and support.

Carrying out effective due diligence is not simply a compliance exercise. It provides reassurance that appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place, leadership is effective and systems exist to monitor quality and continuously improve the provision.

A thorough due diligence process also helps schools build confidence in their commissioning decisions while reducing potential risks for pupils, staff and the wider organisation.

This checklist highlights seven key areas every school should consider before commissioning an Alternative Provision.

1. Review Safeguarding Arrangements

Safeguarding should always be the starting point. Schools should understand how the provider protects children and young people, how concerns are managed and how safeguarding is monitored throughout the organisation.

Questions to ask include:

• Is there a designated safeguarding lead?
• Are safeguarding policies current?
• How are safeguarding concerns recorded?
• How is safeguarding quality assured?
• Are staff appropriately trained?
• How is safer recruitment managed?

Strong safeguarding is about culture as much as compliance.

2. Understand Leadership and Governance

Strong leadership underpins every successful Alternative Provision. Schools should understand who is responsible for strategic leadership, operational management and quality assurance, as well as how leaders evaluate the effectiveness of the organisation.

Evidence of clear accountability and regular oversight provides reassurance that the provision is well managed and committed to continuous improvement.

3. Review Quality Assurance Processes

Quality assurance demonstrates how providers monitor standards and improve practice.

Rather than simply asking whether quality assurance exists, schools should explore how it operates in practice.

Look for evidence of:

• planned quality assurance activities
• monitoring arrangements
• improvement planning
• evaluation of actions
• staff supervision
• learner feedback

Providers with robust quality assurance systems are more likely to identify issues early and continually improve their service.

4. Ask About Independent Reviews

One of the strongest indicators of a provider’s commitment to continuous improvement is their willingness to invite external challenge.

Independent reviews provide objective reassurance that safeguarding, leadership, governance and quality assurance systems are operating effectively.

Ask questions such as:

• Has the provision had an independent review?
• When was the most recent review completed?
• How were recommendations implemented?
• How are improvements monitored?

Providers who commission independent reviews often demonstrate a proactive approach to organisational development.

5. Review Policies, Procedures and Compliance

Policies alone do not guarantee good practice, but they provide an important starting point.

Schools should review whether statutory policies are in place, up to date and supported by effective implementation.

Consider:

• safeguarding
• behaviour
• health and safety
• complaints
• equality
• attendance
• risk assessments

The focus should always be on how these policies are applied in practice.

6. Understand How the Provider Measures Success

Effective providers continually evaluate the impact of their work.

Ask how they monitor:

• learner progress
• attendance
• engagement
• wellbeing
• destinations
• behaviour
• feedback from schools and families

Being able to demonstrate outcomes is often a strong indicator of organisational maturity.

7. Visit the Provision

Documentation provides valuable evidence, but there is no substitute for visiting the setting.

A visit allows schools to experience the culture of the organisation, observe interactions between staff and learners and gain a better understanding of the environment.

During your visit, consider:

• Is the environment calm and welcoming?
• Do staff know learners well?
• Are safeguarding arrangements visible?
• Is learning purposeful?
• Do leaders demonstrate a clear vision?

Often, the culture of a provision tells you as much as the paperwork.

Why Due Diligence Is About More Than Compliance

Effective due diligence is not about trying to catch providers out. It is about developing confidence that children and young people will receive safe, high-quality support in an environment that is committed to continuous improvement.

The strongest providers welcome professional challenge, regularly review their practice and can demonstrate the impact of the work they do. A thoughtful due diligence process helps schools build positive partnerships with providers while ensuring learners receive the best possible support.

How Can We Help?

Choosing the right Alternative Provision requires confidence that safeguarding, leadership, governance and quality assurance are working effectively.

At Jarvis Education, our Independent Reviews & Audits for Alternative Provision provide providers with an objective evaluation of their systems and processes, helping them demonstrate quality to schools and commissioners. We also support organisations in strengthening inspection readiness, continuous improvement and organisational effectiveness through evidence-based recommendations.