Trusted by
40+ Local Authorities
Ofsted registered, NOCN approved, and commissioned by local authorities across England. We deliver quality-assured alternative provision with full compliance, transparent reporting, and measurable outcomes.
Local Authorities We Work With
We are approved or commissioned by local authorities across England, with coverage expanding.
South West
- Cornwall Council
- Devon County Council
- Somerset Council
- Bristol City Council
- North Somerset Council
- South Gloucestershire Council
South Coast & South East
- Hampshire County Council
- Portsmouth City Council
- Southampton City Council
- Brighton & Hove City Council
- East Sussex County Council
- West Berkshire Council
- Reading Borough Council
- Buckinghamshire Council
Central & Eastern
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Gloucestershire County Council
- Hertfordshire Council
- North Northamptonshire Council
- Wiltshire Council
- Swindon Borough Council
North West (25 LAs)
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Blackpool Council
- Bolton Council
- Bury Council
- Cheshire East Council
- Cheshire West & Chester
- Cumberland Council
- Halton Borough Council
- Knowsley MBC
- Lancashire County Council
- Liverpool City Council
- Manchester City Council
- Oldham Borough Council
- Rochdale Borough Council
- Salford City Council
- Sefton Council
- St Helens Council
- Stockport MBC
- Tameside MBC
- Trafford Council
Not listed? We welcome new LA partnerships. Get in touch to discuss commissioning.
Quality Assurance & Compliance
We take governance seriously. Here's what underpins our provision.
Ofsted Registered
We are registered with Ofsted and subject to their inspection framework. Our registration demonstrates that we meet the standards required for education provision.
NOCN Approved Centre
We are an approved centre for NOCN qualifications, independently verified to deliver accredited courses in game development and digital skills.
DBS Enhanced Checks
Every staff member undergoes enhanced DBS checks with barred list checks before they can work with young people. No exceptions.
Safer Recruitment
Our recruitment process follows statutory guidance including identity verification, right to work checks, references, and interview safeguarding questions.
Annual Policy Review
All safeguarding, health & safety, data protection, and education policies are reviewed annually and available to commissioners on request.
Insurance & Liability
Full public liability, professional indemnity, employers liability, and cyber insurance. Certificates available on request.
Reporting & Accountability
Transparent, timely reporting so you always know how students are progressing.
- Session notes after every visit
- Attendance records shared in real time
- Half-termly progress reports
- Termly reviews with commissioner
- Safeguarding incident reporting within 24 hours
- EHCP annual review contributions
- Bespoke reporting to LA requirements
How Is Alternative Provision Funded?
Understanding the funding routes available to families and commissioners.
EHCP-Based Funding▼
If your child or young person has an EHCP, funding may be arranged via a school (even if your child is not currently attending in person) or directly from the Local Authority as part of the EHCP provision.
Many SEND parents know the long, difficult journey to secure appropriate education. From requesting an initial EHC needs assessment to finally obtaining a legally binding EHCP, the process can take years. By the time families reach us, they are often exhausted and under financial pressure. We understand this and work to make onboarding as smooth as possible.
Section 19 Emergency Provision▼
If your child has been out of education for 15 days or more, the Local Authority has a legal duty under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 to arrange suitable alternative education. This is often short-term or interim funding while a longer-term placement is found.
Self-Funded, Direct Payments & School-Funded▼
We can work with self-funding parents, direct referrals from schools, or via Direct Payments regardless of being listed on a particular Local Authority's approved list. For families without funded support, including Elective Home Educators, self-funded 1:1 sessions are £40/hr and in-venue group sessions are £18.75/hr.
We also offer AP-Lite: reduced-length sessions designed to provide access to core support without the full financial burden of daily provision.
Why Quality Assurance Matters
The DfE and Ofsted now require Local Authorities to strengthen how they commission and quality-assure Alternative Provision.
What commissioning standards do you meet?▼
Since 2023, Local Authorities have been tasked with strengthening their commissioning and quality assurance of Alternative Provision. This includes safer recruitment and safeguarding checks, clear evidence of impact and outcomes, site visits and ongoing monitoring, and financial accountability and value-for-money assessments.
Player Ready fully supports this increased scrutiny. The safety, wellbeing, and progress of young people must always come first — especially when public funds are involved. We hold Designated Safeguarding Leads at venue level, follow safer recruitment processes, maintain staff induction and concern reporting procedures, and make our full policy pack available to commissioners on request.
What is non-school AP and is it the same as "unregistered" AP?▼
Non-school AP refers to provision delivered by organisations outside a school's roll, commissioned by Local Authorities or schools to meet a child's educational needs. The terms "non-school AP" and "unregistered AP" are often used interchangeably. The key is meeting commissioning and safeguarding standards, which Player Ready does.
We are registered on the Ofsted Voluntary Childcare Register and all provision is delivered in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and LA policies.
What is the commissioning process?▼
Referral: Send details via our referral form or email alternativeprovision@player-ready.co.uk.
Discovery: Brief meeting to agree a starting plan, risk assessment, and preferred delivery mode (online, in-venue, or blended).
Onboarding: Individual Learning Plan, timetable, reporting cadence, named contacts, and safeguarding arrangements.
Delivery & Review: Session logs, attendance tracking, half-termly reports — adjusting the plan based on outcomes.
Need a formal proposal? Request a commissioning pack with pricing, SLAs, and policies by emailing our AP team.
Local Authority FAQ
What if our LA isn't on your approved list?▼
We welcome new LA partnerships and can begin the approval process quickly. We can also work with self-funding families and schools in any area of the UK while approval is being processed. If you'd like to invite us to your Approved Providers list or framework, please get in touch at alternativeprovision@player-ready.co.uk.
What is the difference between EOTAS and AP?▼
AP placements are usually commissioned by a school or LA to supplement or replace in-school provision. EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School) is a different legal route where the LA arranges education outside school under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996. We support both pathways and can advise on the most appropriate route.
How do LAs quality-assure your provision?▼
Through due diligence at commissioning, oversight during delivery, and reviews against national standards and local policies. We provide session-level tracking, half-termly reports, rapid communication on risk or attendance changes, and EHCP annual review contributions. All safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, and education policies are reviewed annually and available to commissioners on request.
What qualifications can students achieve?▼
AQA Unit Awards (Centre 84612) across all curriculum areas. Post-16 students can pursue NOCN accredited qualifications in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development at Entry Level 3 through Level 3 (Award, Certificate, and Diploma). Player Ready is NOCN Approved Centre No. 12116.
Commission a Placement
Ready to refer a student? Our AP team can discuss requirements, pricing, and availability.