Listening Events

Alternative Education Provision Listening Event - March 2025

 

In March, OxPCF and Oxfordshire County Council co-hosted an Alternative Education Provision (AEP) Listening Event, giving parent carers the chance to share lived experiences, reflect on what’s working well, and highlight what needs to change.

 

🔍 Key Themes Raised

 

✅ What’s Working Well:

• Caring, neurodivergent-friendly providers and tutors.

• Creative, low-stress environments (art, animals, outdoor learning).

• Positive feedback for providers like Dare to Dream, Fleet Education, Jessie’s Art Shed, and Oxfordshire Hospital School.

• EOTAS and small-group tutoring improving engagement.

 

⚠️ Challenges Identified:

• Lack of clear info on AEP options, tutor approvals, and funding.

• Long delays in accessing support, especially for post-16.

• Limited or no choice in provision and inconsistent involvement in decisions.

• Poor social opportunities for children, especially in isolated AEP settings.

 

📌 Top 3 Priorities from Families

1. Timeliness: Urgent need to reduce delays and enable early intervention.

2. Communication & Transparency: Families want clear guidance and open, honest processes.

3. Flexibility & Suitability: Provision must match individual needs and be co-produced with families.

 

💬 Voices from the Event

“It took nearly three years to get my daughter one day a week—too late, too slow.”

“We just need clear, honest information about what’s available and what we’re entitled to.”

“After July, we’re looking into an abyss. What happens when there’s no Post-16 provision?”

 

📥 Read the Full Summary

You can read the full event summary here:

👉 Download the AEP Listening Event Summary (PDF)

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🛠 Next Steps

Oxfordshire County Council has committed to reviewing the feedback and working alongside OxPCF to co-produce improvements that reflect what families need—now and for the future.