Admissions Policy

Purpose 

This policy outlines how Elevate Learning/ Thrive Alternative Provision accepts, assesses and offers placements. 

We are committed to ensuring that all admission decisions are: 

  • Timely 

  • Consistent 

  • Transparent 

  • Centred on the best interests of the child 

As a specialist, multi-disciplinary Alternative Provision, Elevate Learning/ Thrive prioritises safeguarding and carefully balances: 

  • The needs of the child 

  • Risk factors 

  • The safety of others and the provision’s resources and expertise 

Elevate Learning/Thrive provides placements for children aged 4–11 who require a highly individualised, structured, and nurturing environment to re-engage with learning, particularly where mainstream or specialist settings are not currently accessible. 

 

Commissioning and Routes of Admission 

Elevate Learning/ Thrive Alternative Provision accepts referrals through the following routes: 

  • Local Authorities (e.g. Section 19 Education Act 1996) 

  • Commissioning schools seeking part-time, short-term or blended placements 

  • Other agencies, with Local Authority agreement 

We operate as a commissioned Alternative Provision. 

We do not accept self-referrals from parents/carers. 

 

Eligibility and Learner Profile 

Elevate Learning/ Thrive Alternative Provision is a specialist neurodevelopmental provision. 

To be considered for placement, the child must: 

  • Present with neurodiverse traits, and 

  • Meet one or more of the following: 

  • be on an assessment pathway; or 

  • have a diagnosis of: 

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 

  • Learning Disability (LD) 

  • or a combination of these 

Children referred typically: 

  • Are at risk of exclusion or placement breakdown 

  • Are on reduced timetables or out of school 

  • Experience difficulties with: 

  • emotional regulation 

  • behaviour 

  • communication 

  • learning readiness 

Elevate Learning/Thrive adopts a needs-led, not diagnosis-led, approach, but the neurodevelopmental need must be clearly evidenced in the referral. 

 

Information Required at Referral 

Referrers must provide a comprehensive and accurate referral pack, including: 

  • Full chronology of education history 

  • Attendance and exclusion history 

  • Attainment and progress data 

  • Behaviour and risk information 

  • Safeguarding history and contextual risks 

  • Details of previous interventions and outcomes 

  • SEND information, including: 

  • EHCP (if applicable) 

  • SEN support documentation 

  • Relevant professional reports, including: 

  • Speech and Language Therapy 

  • Occupational Therapy 

  • Educational Psychology 

  • Medical or mental health reports 

Incomplete referrals may: 

  • Delay decision-making 

  • Result in the referral being returned for further information 

 

Decision-Making and Thresholds 

All referrals are reviewed by an Elevate Learning/ Thrive Admissions Panel, which may include: 

  • Provision Lead 

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 

  • Clinical and/or specialist staff (e.g. behaviour, communication or therapy leads) 

The panel considers: 

  • Suitability of the curriculum model 

  • Ability to meet the child’s developmental and communication needs 

  • Ability to maintain safety for the child, peers and staff 

  • Level of risk and whether it can be safely managed 

  • Travel and transport arrangements 

  • Whether reasonable adjustments can be implemented without disproportionate impact on others 

  • Alignment with Elevate Learning/ Thrive’s specialist neurodevelopmental model 

  • Staff level of training and expertise 

Where risk is significant: 

  • The DSL will initiate a multi-agency discussion or meeting before a final decision is made 

 

Offers, Conditions and Timescales 

Where a placement is deemed suitable: 

  • A written offer will be issued within five working days of receiving a complete referral 

  • The offer will include: 

  • Proposed start date 

  • Initial timetable (e.g. full-time, part-time or blended placement) 

  • Placement model (e.g. AP-based, school-supported, or blended) 

  • Transport arrangements (where applicable) 

  • Funding and commissioning arrangements 

  • Induction process 

  • Review schedule 

Offers may be conditional, for example: 

  • Completion of risk assessments 

  • Agreement to safety or behaviour support plans 

  • Provision of outstanding documentation 

  • Agreement to a phased or reduced timetable on entry 

 

When a Placement is Not Suitable 

Where Elevate Learning/ Thrive is unable to meet a child’s needs safely or appropriately: 

  • The referrer will be notified in writing 

  • Clear reasons will be provided 

This may include: 

  • A risk that cannot be safely managed within a small specialist setting 

  • Needs that require a clinical or secure environment 

  • Needs beyond the scope of this educational Alternative Provision 

Where possible, Elevate Learning/ Thrive will: 

  • Provide recommendations; and 

  • Signpost to more appropriate services or provision types 

 

Placement Changes, Suspension or Termination 

All placements are: 

  • Time-bound 

  • Regularly reviewed 

  • Outcomes-focused 

Where concerns arise, including: 

  • Escalating risk 

  • Significant safeguarding concerns 

  • Attendance falling to a level that impacts safety or progress 

Elevate Learning/ Thrive will: 

  • Convene a review meeting with the referrer and parents/carers 

  • Implement additional support strategies where possible 

As a last resort, and following the appropriate process: 

  • Placements may be suspended or terminated where safety cannot be assured 

 

Fair Access, Equality and SEND 

Elevate Learning/ Thrive Alternative Provision is committed to: 

  • Equality of access 

  • Inclusive practice 

  • Compliance with the SEND Code of Practice 

Reasonable adjustments will be: 

  • Identified at the referral and induction stage 

  • Recorded in: 

  • Individual Healthcare Plans (where relevant) 

  • Placement plans 

  • Pupil profiles/passports 

We recognise that: 

  • Behaviour is often a form of communication 

  • Support must be adapted to individual developmental needs 

 

Information Sharing and Privacy 

All information is handled in accordance with: 

  • UK GDPR 

  • Data Protection Act 2018 

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 

Elevate Learning/ Thrive will: 

  • Store information securely 

  • Share relevant information with commissioning schools, Local Authorities and professionals 

  • Ensure information sharing supports safeguarding and educational provision 

 

Complaints and Appeals 

Referrers and parents/carers may: 

  • Appeal an admissions decision in writing to the Provision Lead 

This must be submitted within: 

  • 10 working days of the decision 

All complaints will be handled in line with the: 

  • Elevate Learning/ Thrive Complaints Policy 

Policy Review 

This policy will be: 

  • reviewed annually; or 

  • updated sooner where required by changes in legislation, guidance or organisational practice