Alternative Provision Conference 2026: Connecting Policy, Practice and Progress
Overview
With ongoing SEND reform, the Schools White Paper, and increasing expectations around inclusion and system-wide standards, the role of alternative provision is increasingly in the spotlight. Alongside this, significant government investment, including £860 million funding for 2026–27 to support the creation of around 11,000 new SEND and alternative provision places as part of a wider programme to deliver 60,000 specialist places, is reshaping the landscape of provision. Providers are under growing pressure to deliver impactful, tailored support for children and young people with complex needs, while clearly evidencing progress and outcomes.
- Nearly four in ten (37%) children will need additional support with learning at some point in their education (Nuffield Foundation 2025)
- Since 2020, there has been a 30.2% increase in placements in alternative provision (Department for Education 2025)
The Alternative Provision Conference 2026: Connecting Policy, Practice and Progress will bring together leaders and practitioners from across education and local government to explore the latest policies and priorities shaping the future of AP. Focusing on policy developments, inclusive practice, and system-wide improvement, the conference will provide a platform to share evidence-based approaches that drive engagement, raise standards, and strengthen outcomes.
Through expert insights and practical case studies, attendees will examine key priorities including the recent SEND reform, safeguarding for complex needs and effective accountability frameworks. The programme will also highlight the importance of early intervention, values-driven leadership, and high-quality post-16 pathways, supporting the sector to deliver consistent, impactful provision and positive transitions for all learners.
Supporters Include
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Andrew Burton, Headteacher, Aspire Schools (invited)
Keynote: Government Updates, Key Priorities and Next Steps for Alternative Provision
- Explore government priorities, funding allocations, and how the 2026 Schools White Paper is impacting provision frameworks
- Examine the repositioning of alternative provision as part of a continuum of support, with planned interventions and clear accountability
- Understand the shift to an inclusion-first system, including enhanced safeguarding and reintegration planning
- Gain clarity on the practical implications of new SEND reforms, with a growing emphasis on supporting more children in mainstream settings
Josh MacAlister MP, Children, Families and Wellbeing Minister (invited)
Keynote: Inclusive Curriculums that Engage and Transform
- Discover how to design flexible, high-impact curriculums that successfully re-engage learners and balance academic and vocational pathways
- Gain fresh, practical strategies for delivering experiential and project-based learning that drives real engagement and progress
- Explore how to place vulnerable and disadvantaged learners at the centre of curriculum planning and resource allocation
Amy Smith, Director of Education, Inclusive Education Trust (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Proactive Safeguarding and Increasing Support for Complex Needs
- Embed safeguarding into everyday practice, strengthening multi-agency working and addressing high-risk issues such as exploitation and persistent absence
- Explore approaches to audit your current provision and implement whole-school inclusion strategies that close gaps in attainment, attendance and wellbeing
- Examine what the new safeguarding “met” or “not met” judgements mean in practice, with clear guidance on how to evidence compliance and demonstrate impact
Nicola Law, Director of Safeguarding, Liberty Academy Trust (invited)
Case Study: SEND Reform and the Impact for Alternative Provision
- Explore the new tiered SEND system, including Individual Support Plans (ISPs), Specialist Provision Packages, and challenges in late identification, especially for SEMH
- Discover effective adaptive teaching strategies for small, mixed-need groups and explore the intersection of SEND, behaviour and exclusion
- Strengthen provision mapping, IEP quality, and progress monitoring to demonstrate the impact of targeted interventions
- Develop a unified, whole-school inclusion roadmap that aligns SEND reform with curriculum planning and smarter AP resource deployment
Lia Commissar, Head of Impact, National Institute of Teaching (invited)
Case Study: Doing Things Differently – Reform in Alternative Provision
- Exploring the need for AP and the rise in demand across primary, secondary, and post-16 settings
- Examine the supply and quality of AP in practice
- Recommendations for further reform to make sure pupils in AP are supported the right practice and provision backed by evidence-informed best practice and clear accountability
Meg Powell-Chandler, Director, New Schools Network (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Case Study: Pupil and Family Centred QA of Alternative Provision
As well as providing Quality Assurance based on settings and their offer, City of York Council have added a more person-centred review of Alternative Provision – the ‘learner journey’- to help schools and Local Authorities consider the impact and appropriateness of Alternative Provision for individual families and children/young people.
Dan Bodey, Head of Integrated SEND Service, City of York Council (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Leadership, Governance and a Values-Driven Culture
- Attract, develop and retain specialist staff while embedding a strong, value-driven culture that inspires high standards and sustained improvements
- Discover strategies to lead confidently through crisis, managing funding pressures and ensuring long-term sustainability
- Create a coordinated approach across governance and leadership to drive measurable improvement
- Gain practical approaches to demonstrate strategic intent through measurable milestones, robust accountability frameworks, and a culture of continuous improvement
Laura Phillips, Director of Inclusion and Safeguarding, Kings Group Academies (invited)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking
This session offers an opportunity to discuss key challenges in alternative provision and supporting complex needs, while sharing experiences and strengthening multi-agency collaboration across services.
Comfort Break
Case Study: Inclusion, Early Intervention and Prevention
- Explore strategies to identify and support learners before exclusion, preventing disengagement early
- Learn how in-school inclusion units are making a measurable impact on learner outcomes
- Discover innovative outreach and preventative AP models that successfully re-engage learners at risk
- Gain practical tools to embed early intervention and inclusive practices to support SEN, ESB, SEMH, medical conditions and behavioural challenges
Dave Woods, Vice President, NAHT, and Head Teacher, Beaconsfield Primary School (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Post-16 Pathways, Careers, and Successful Transitions
- Explore strategies to plan and deliver personalised post-16 pathways for AP learners, including FE, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities to reduce the risk of disengagement or NEET
- Learn how to track and sustain positive destinations, using data and learner voice to inform planning
- Discover practical approaches for careers education and guidance tailored to vulnerable and disadvantaged learners
- Gain insights into building strong partnerships with employers, FE providers, and community organisations to widen opportunities and improve outcomes
David Holloway, Senior Policy Manager, Association of Colleges (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Speakers
Amy Smith
Director of Education
Inclusive Education Trust
Dan Bodey
Head of Integrated SEND Service
City of York Council
Meg Powell-Chandler
Director
New Schools Network
Get in Touch
Testimonials
Excellent and up to date training that recognises the challenges to achieving positive outcomes for all children.
Very good conference with opportunity to hear from a variety of speakers with a wealth of expertise and opportunity to access resources for school.
I find this conference extremely useful in staying up to date and also hearing about what is happening in other areas.
Excellent event, insightful and thought provoking to inform future planning and best practice.
Amazing Event! We will be using this learning throughout our Kumon Centres up and down the country.
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Why You Should Attend
✓ High-level keynotes from leading organisations sharing the latest Alternative Provision insights
✓ Hear the latest updates from the Schools White Paper and SEND Reform
✓ Strategies and tools from across education and local government to explore the evolving landscape of support for vulnerable young people
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues across the education sector
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend
| Job Title Example | Organisation Examples |
| Charity Partners | Primary Schools |
| Teachers | Secondary Schools |
| University Staff | Further Education Providers |
| Academic Support Staff | Higher Education Providers |
| Trustees | Government Educational Policy Leads |
| Policy Managers | Charities |
| Academics | Think Tanks/NGOs |
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
