An Alternative Education? Support for our most disengaged young people research articles

Each year, Alternative Education provides education to over 2,000 young people who have been disengaged from education and who have high and complex needs. Many are exposed to crime, violence, and trauma, and just under a third have a mental health need. Almost two in five have been referred to attendance services and one in four have been suspended.

The Education Review Office (ERO), in partnership with the Social Wellbeing Agency (SWA), has looked at how well the education system is supporting young people in Alternative Education.

This study describes what we found and what is needed to significantly improve education for these young people.

Alternative Education - Report and summary

  • Published: 27 Jun 2023

    An Alternative Education? Support for our most disengaged young people

    Each year, Alternative Education provides education to over 2,000 young people who have been disengaged from education and who have high and complex needs. The Education Review Office (ERO), in partnership with the Social Wellbeing Agency (SWA), looked at how well the education system is supporting young people in Alternative Education. This study describes what we found and what is needed to significantly improve education for these young people.

  • Published: 27 Jun 2023

    An Alternative Education? Support for our most disengaged young people - Summary

    Each year, Alternative Education provides education to over 2,000 young people who have been disengaged from education and who have high and complex needs. The Education Review Office (ERO), in partnership with the Social Wellbeing Agency (SWA), has looked at how well the education system is supporting young people in Alternative Education. This study describes what we found and what is needed to significantly improve education for t

Alternative Education - Short guides