Our Alternative Provision (The Hub)
The Toucan AP (Alternative Provision) is a unique agreement between the headteacher, authority and the family. Children will attend during school hours. We understand that a headteacher may have concerns about a child missing core subjects such as maths and English however we can create an individual plan with a school to ensure a pupil does not miss out. However what we find is that the literacy needs are usually quite significant and our work impacts positively on anything being taught in school.
We create a half term plan with targets and we are keen to link this in with school targets and assessments.
This is a specialist SEND service that is unique to the individual needs of the child and will compliment your provision and support already in place.
Toucan Education will provide all documents on request needed to fully ensure schools are reassured that the correct procedures are in place. This includes:
- Ofsted certificate of registration
- Health and safety report of building
- All staff on site hold a transferable DBS
- All staff working with children are first aid trained
- All staff working with children have carried out up to date safeguarding training
- On each day of the Toucan provision there will be a lead Child Protection who will report any concerns to the home school or if necessary duty social care
- There will be a complaints procedure in place
- Schools will have access if requested to all policies, certificates and reports based on the safety of the property and the child
- Staff from the home school will be able to come at any time to check the environment
- There will be a minimum of three staff present at all times
Children are brought to the Toucan AP by their parents. The sessions run 9.30am- 12noon and 12.30-3pm. If requiring a full day a packed lunch will be needed. After each session a short report detailing what has been covered will be sent to parents- we will send this to schools half termly.
We will attend one meeting per year per child in regards to their progress however we except to have continuous open communication with schools so that we can support school targets and learning.
Children will have a mid session break which will sometimes involve a walk and play in the park opposite the building – this will be authorised by the parents
of the child.
Children are registered as a code B this will avoid any absence issues as it is classed as educated off site. You can find information about this on the government website.
Attendance codes for when pupils are present at approved off-site educational activity are as follows:
Code B: Off-site educational activity
This code should be used when pupils are present at an off-site educational activity that has been approved by the school. Ultimately schools are responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of pupils educated off-site. Therefore by using code B, schools are certifying that the education is supervised and measures have been taken to safeguard pupils. This code should not be used for any unsupervised educational activity or where a pupil is at home doing school work. Schools should ensure that they have in place arrangements whereby the provider of the alternative activity notifies the school of any absences by individual pupils. The school should record the pupil’s absence using the relevant absence code.
Sometimes schools do not wish children to attend our provision which we understand but we encourage a conversation with us first to learn what we are trying to achieve. In addition – as this is a private independent company we expect parents approach school initially and give all the information we provide. We will then be happy to have a conversation with a lead person (SENDCO or headteacher). We will send policies and related information if we are asked for it.
