Publishing the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) list
Surrey County Council is publishing the independent Alternative Provision (AP) list of providers on the DPS. This is in line with the Department for Education's voluntary guidance published in August 2025 and following valued feedback from Family Voice Surrey and families directly.
The publishing of this list marks a step forward in supporting inclusive education across the county. By making this information transparent and easily accessible, schools, families, and professionals can be informed about the most suitable provision for children and young people with additional needs available in Surrey.
Independent Alternative Provision (AP) includes many different types of education providers, some of which are officially registered with the government as schools and some that are not. Unregistered providers are not inspected or regulated by Ofsted. Providers can be anything from small, local one-person businesses to large organisations that operate across the country. They offer services such as face-to-face or online tutoring and vocational or skills-based learning.
Surrey County Council (SCC) uses a flexible framework called a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to buy alternative provision for children and young people who cannot attend mainstream school. Any provider that wants to join SCC’s DPS must meet the required standards for safeguarding, quality, and compliance. These requirements apply to all providers, whether they are registered or unregistered.
Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) 'lots'
SCC's DPS organises providers into different 'lots'. Each lot represents a type of service that children and young people might need if they cannot attend mainstream school or college. This structure helps families, schools, and Surrey County Council quickly identify appropriate support. There are currently 49 providers across these six lots, although this will increase over time.
The lots are:
- Lot 1: Tutoring by qualified teachers (for academic catch-up and confidence)
- Lot 2: Tutoring by experienced non-teachers (for specialist subjects or flexible support)
- Lot 3: Specialist teachers (for children with specific needs, such as autism or sensory impairment)
- Lot 4: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered therapy (for professional therapies like physiotherapy or occupational therapy)
- Lot 5: Other services supporting education (such as mentoring, vocational programmes, and wellbeing activities
- Lot 6: Post-16 Support Services (supporting employment, preparing for adulthood/independence)
Providers may deliver within these lots face-to-face, online or both and the delivery format will be a key factor in matching a provider to a child or young person’s needs.
The published list is regularly updated, so parent carers can always access the latest information.
For provision that is listed under the Post 16 Support services lot, please also see the Next Steps guide, which provides dedicated post-16 support services
If you wish to provide feedback on a provider listed below, please complete the DPS Provider Selection and Feedback Survey.
Providers in this Lot will be able to offer tutors who hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and will be able to offer either face to face or online tutoring.
The delivery of services delivered in this lot may be used to support children and young people:
- access learning outside of education (if required).
- improve attendance at school to access education.
- support improved academic attainment (if appropriate).
- improve confidence and reduce anxiety when studying for core or additional subject exams.
| Provider | Summary | Mode of teacher | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy21 Limited | Live online lessons for children who need flexible learning, with a focus on helping those who struggle in mainstream school. | Online | Academy 21 website |
| Ackerman Pierce | Matches children with tutors who fit their needs, offering personal support and guidance. | Both | Ackerman Piece website |
| Be My Tutor | Offers online tutoring tailored to each child’s needs. | Online | Be My Tutor website |
| Fleet Education | Quality-assured tuition provider specialising in SEND and Inclusion, working with Local Authorities, schools and families to provide bespoke learning programmes. | Both | Fleet Education website |
| Prospero Group Ltd | Large team of tutors, including specialists for children with additional needs. | Both | Prospero Group website |
| SENse Learning | Specialises in helping children with special educational needs, using flexible and caring approaches. | Both | Sense learning website |
| Targeted Provision Ltd | Offers one-to-one support for children who need extra help, especially those with emotional or behavioural needs. | Both | Targeted Provision website |
| The Tutor Team | Tutors are experienced teachers, helping children achieve their best in exams and schoolwork. | Online | The Tutor Team website |
| The Educatch Charity | Supports children with creative activities and mentoring, helping them re-engage with learning. | Both | Educatch website |
| Young Giants Ltd | Specialises in helping those with special needs and transitions. | Both | Young Giants website |
| Powertutors | Flexible tutoring to boost confidence and academic progress. | Both | Powertutors website |
| Sophia High School | Accredited online school with a modern curriculum and global reach. | Online | Sophia High School website |
| Bright Heart Education | Heart-based, nurturing approach for children with special needs; award-winning service. | Both | Bright Heart Education website |
| Freshstart in Education Limited | Helps children re-engage with education through personalised programmes. | Both | Freshstart in Education website |
| People and Animal Wellbeing Service CIC | Uses animal-assisted activities to support children’s wellbeing and learning. | Face to Face | People and Animal Wellbeing Service CIC website |
| Sugarman Health and Wellbeing Ltd | Provides specialist care and support for children with complex needs. | Both | Sugarman Health and Wellbeing Ltd website |
Providers in this Lot 2 offer tutors who hold a degree level qualification or have substantial experience in a required subject and will be able to offer either face to face or online tutoring.
The subjects will be specific to the needs of the individual pupil and could include a subject which may not ordinarily be available in a mainstream school setting.
| Provider | Summary | Mode of teaching | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy21 Limited | Live online lessons for children who need flexible learning, with a focus on helping those who struggle in mainstream school. | Online | Academy 21 website |
| Ackerman Pierce | Matches children with tutors who fit their needs, offering personal support and guidance. | Both | Ackerman Piece website |
| Be My Tutor | Offers online tutoring tailored to each child’s needs. | Online | Be My Tutor website |
| Fleet Education | Quality-assured tuition provider specialising in SEND and Inclusion, working with Local Authorities, schools and families to provide bespoke learning programmes. | Both | Fleet Education website |
| Prospero Group Ltd | Large team of tutors, including specialists for children with additional needs. | Both | Prospero Group website |
| Surrey Care Trust – Steps to 16 | 'Steps to 16' is a program run by the Surrey Care Trust for 14 to 16-year-olds who are struggling with mainstream education. It offers an alternative learning environment that includes functional skills in English and maths, vocational training, and life skills like cooking and budgeting. | Face to Face | Surrey Care Trust website |
| SENse Learning | Alternative provision delivering interim education to children who are out of school or struggling to attend. | Both | Sense learning website |
| Targeted Provision Ltd | An alternative education and mentoring service for vulnerable children and young people with additional educational needs. The company provides one-to-one, trauma-informed tuition and works with local authorities and schools to deliver tailored educational support | Both | Targeted Provision website |
| The Catch Up Academy | Tuition agency that provides one-to-one and small-group tutoring, primarily working with schools, local authorities, and students across the UK | Both | The Catch Up Academy website |
| Young Giants Ltd | Never turns away a child; specialises in helping those with special needs and transitions. | Both | Young Giants website |
| Powertutors | Flexible tutoring to boost confidence and academic progress. | Both | Powertutors website |
| Sophia High School | Accredited online school with a modern curriculum and global reach. | Online | Sophia High School website |
| Bright Heart Education | Heart-based, nurturing approach for children with special needs; award-winning service. | Both | Bright Heart Education website |
| Freshstart in Education Limited | Helps children re-engage with education through personalised programmes. | Both | Freshstart in Education website |
| People and Animal Wellbeing Service CIC | Uses animal-assisted activities to support children’s wellbeing and learning. | Face to Face | People and Animal Wellbeing Service CIC website |
| Sugarman Health and Wellbeing Ltd | Provides specialist care and support for children with complex needs. | Both | Home - Sugarman Health and Wellbeing |
| The Tutor Team | Tutors are experienced teachers, helping children achieve their best in exams and schoolwork. | Online | The Tutor Team website |
| Nudge Education | Provides bespoke education and mental health interventions for children and adolescents who are chronically disengaged or out of formal education | Face to Face | Nudge Education website |
Service Providers in this Lot offer teachers who hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and additional qualifications or significant experience (5 plus years).
This additional experience will be in specific areas of need that would allow them to offer specialist support and advice to the pupil’s class-based teacher e.g., British Sign Language (BSL) trained staff, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) specialists.
Qualifications could include Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of Children with Hearing Impairment/ Visual Impairment.
| Provider | Summary | Mode of teaching | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Education | Equal Education provides 1:1 tuition for vulnerable children, aiming to break down barriers to learning and ensure equal opportunities for all. | Both | Equal Education website |
| Targeted Provision Ltd | An alternative education and mentoring service for vulnerable children and young people with additional educational needs. The company provides one-to-one, trauma-informed tuition and works with local authorities and schools to deliver tailored educational support | Both | Targeted Provision website |
| Powertutors | Flexible tutoring to boost confidence and academic progress. | Both | Powertutors website |
| Bright Heart Education | Heart-based, nurturing approach for children with special needs; award-winning service. | Both | Bright Heart Education website |
| Freshstart in Education Limited | Helps children re-engage with education through personalised programmes. | Both | Freshstart in Education website |
| Fleet Education | Quality-assured tuition provider specialising in SEND and Inclusion, offering specialised, trauma-informed tuition with programme management from trained Thrive Practitioners. | Both | Fleet Education website |
Providers delivering services on Lot 4 support children access education by delivering services as registered under Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
| Provider | Summary | Mode of teaching | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Childrens Physiotherapy | ABC Childrens Physiotherapy is a small company specialising in the assessment and treatment of children with Neurological, Neuro developmental, Neuro muscular and Musculo-skeletal problems. | Both | ABC Childrens Physiotherapy website |
| Moore Occupational Therapy | Moore Occupational Therapy offers services for children/adolescents, sensory integration, neurological conditions, autism, ADHD, handwriting difficulties, sensory integration issues, and conditions such as ASD and ADHD. | Both | Moore Occupational Therapy website |
| The Occupational Therapy (OT) Practice | The OT Practice is an independent Occupational Therapy company specialising in providing expert clinical occupational therapy services | Both | The OT Practice website |
| The Sensory Smart Child Ltd | A multi-disciplinary paediatric therapy practice in the Southeast of England, offering comprehensive assessment and therapy services | Both | The Sensory Smart Child Ltd website |
| The Expressive Child Ltd | The Expressive Child is an independent children’s Speech and Language Therapy practice based in Walton-on-Thames providing professional support for children across Surrey | Both | The Expressive Child Ltd website |
| Children in Motion Ltd | Children in Motion! is a Physiotherapy practice specialising in the treatment of children and young people. | Both | Children in Motion Ltd website |
| Contented Kids | Occupational Therapy services based in Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom. | Face to Face | Contented Kids website |
Providers delivering services on Lot 5 offer other non-specified services such as vocational programmes, mentoring, alternative therapies not covered by Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and other services that will work to reduce the anxiety of the pupils.
They will also support the continued engagement (for placements in danger of ending) or the reengagement of pupils with full time education, training, or employment.
| Provider | Type of service | Summary | Mode of teaching | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sense Learning | Sense learning | SENse Learning is an alternative provision that provides bespoke and holistic, creative packages of education, delivered by Education Mentors. | Both | Sense learning website |
| The Sensory Smart Child Ltd | Play therapy | Play therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses play to help children and adolescents express themselves, communicate their thoughts and feelings, and work through difficult emotions and experiences. | Both | The Sensory Smart Child Ltd website |
| The Sensory Smart Child Ltd | Theraplay | Theraplay is a type of play therapy that focuses on building attachment and attunement between the child/young person and their caregiver. It is a dyadic therapy, meaning that both the child and the caregiver participate in the sessions. | Both | The Sensory Smart Child Ltd website |
| The Sensory Smart Child Ltd | Therapeutic Life Story Work | Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) is a therapeutic approach that helps children and young people to explore, understand, and make sense of their life stories. It is particularly useful for CYP who have experienced trauma, loss, or other difficult events in their lives. | Both | The Sensory Smart Child Ltd website |
| Disability Challengers | Challengers 555 Service | The service can support up to 8 young people aged 8 to 19 each day and runs between 9.30 to 2.30 during term time. Young people can attend for up to three days a week. It is designed to provide a safe and fun place where we support the creation of a positive routine (e.g. getting up and out every day), reducing levels of anxiety (e.g. being away from parents and/or being in a school environment), improving behaviours (e.g. both physical and verbal) and support families by providing respite and strategies (e.g. enabling parents to work whilst their child is out of education). | Face to Face | Disability Challengers website |
Edge Disability Consultancy Ltd | Edge Ahead | Edge Ahead is for young people aged 16 to 24 and is delivered in small groups from our hub near central Woking. Learners take part in job clubs, Skills4Work workshops, CV writing and interview preparation all in a relaxed social environment with other young people | Face to Face | Edge Disability Consultancy Ltd website |
| Gasp Motor Project | Courses in Motor Mechanics and engineering | Gasp deliver accredited courses in basic motor mechanics and practical engineering skills and contribute to students’ positive personal development. | Face to Face | Gasp Motor Project website |
Huckleberries Nurture Farm | Huckleberries Nurture Farm | Huckleberries specialise in working with children who need extra help with their social, emotional, and mental well-being, particularly those who need support with self-esteem, self-worth, anxiety, emotional distress or those who have experienced early childhood trauma, struggle with SpLD such as Dyslexia or ASC for whom school is challenging. | Face to Face | Huckleberries Nurture Farm website |
| Power2 | Power2 Rediscover | 1:1 mentoring support for children and young people struggling with their mental wellbeing and school engagement. | Face to Face | Power2 website |
| Power2 | Teens and Toddlers | 1:1 mentoring with young people who have poor wellbeing, are from low income households and are disengaged from school, learning or their futures. | Face to Face | Power2 website |
| Power2 | Power to Progress | Group Mentoring: A 16-week programme for children and young people who are struggling with poor mental health and wellbeing | Face to Face | Power2 website |
| Power2 | Power to Thrive | Power2 Thrive is a mentoring program for secondary students (years 7 to 12) where they mentor younger children, supporting their wellbeing and learning. | Face to Face | Power2 website |
| Surrey Care Trust | Steps to16 (Woking Learning Centre) | Steps to 16 staff are skilled at supporting young people struggling with a range of social, emotional, and mental health needs, including many learning difficulties. | Face to Face | Surrey Care Trust website |
| Roar Outdoor Ltd | Outdoor Learning Session | Roar Outdoor offers activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, bushcraft, and outdoor learning programs in the Surrey Hills. | Face to Face | Roar Outdoor website |
| Evolve | Enhance Development Programme | Enhance is a development programme that improves brain health and cognitive function to enhance mindset, wellbeing and performance. The 12-week development programme uses three integrated elements of Training, Learning and Mentoring | Face to Face | Evolve Education website |
| The Educatch charity | Bespoke Intensive | The Educatch Charity offers bespoke intensive support to young people who are struggling with traditional education. This tailored approach combines intensive one-on-one tuition with emotional and behavioural support, and can include project work, exam preparation, and engagement activities designed to meet individual needs and targets, often linking to Educational Health and Care (EHC) plans. | Both | Educatch website |
| Activate Learning | 14 to 16 Alternative Provisions | Students will be in groups of 14 in a bespoke programme covering Maths, English Language and health and wellbeing. 3 days a week. Students will have project-based learning which will incorporate digital skills, Maths and English. | Face to Face | Activate Learning website |
| Change of Scene | Change of Scene Session | Weekly 3-hour session (either 9am to 12pm or 1:30pm to 4:30pm) during term time. Working 1 to 2 to 1 predominantly outdoors with a designated key worker. Main activities: animal care, working with circa 15 species of animals, therapeutic gardening, carpentry, cooking, craft plus other activities, such as site maintenance, as necessary. | Face to Face | Change of Scene website |
| Sugarman Health and Wellbeing Ltd | Sugarman Enhanced Educational Support Service | The provision combines face-to-face sessions, online learning, and experiential activities such as arts and outdoor education to enhance engagement and motivation. | Both | Home - Sugarman Health and Wellbeing |
| People and Animal Wellbeing Services (PAWS) | PAWS Animal Assisted Interventions and Therapies | The programme aims to re-engage young people in their education and provide them with opportunities to learn new skills and understand their own emotions and needs. This is achieved through Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI). A trained and certified therapy dog and a specialist facilitator (practitioner) work together to promote improvements in the young person's physical, emotional and cognitive needs. | Face to Face | People and Animal Wellbeing Service CIC website |
| The Dare2Dream Foundation | The Dare2Dream Foundation 1:1 Provision | The One2One program is centred around personal development, building life skills and supporting educational achievement. | Both | Dare2Dream website |
| Endeavour360 Ltd | A 1:1 bespoke mentoring service | 1:1 mentoring service | Face to Face | Endeavour360 website |
| Freshstart in Education Limited | Engagement and Education Programmes | Bespoke face-to-face engagement and education programs for young people struggling with mainstream schooling, including those who are excluded, out of school, or have an EHC plan. | Face to Face | Freshstart in Education website |
| Fleet Education | Fleet Education | Mentoring services to support learners with barriers to progression and attendance. Full end-to-end Exams Coordination service. | Both | Fleet Education website |
Services on Lot 6 are primarily delivered to support young people:
- Access employment opportunities, either via supported internships, apprenticeships, or work experience
- Develop appropriate skillsets to support access to pathways outlined within Next steps: your transition guide to Surrey’s post 16 training, employment and vocational pathways for young people with additional needs
- Access or support participation in learning within further education, including supporting advice around qualifications, next steps, or future pathways.
- Support emotional wellbeing and resilience to access community schemes, wider support groups or community services.
- Access or transition to adult social care/ adult services
| Provider | Type of service | Summary | Mode of teaching | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Education | Alternative Provision for Children and Young People with Additional Needs and Disabilities - Post 16 Support Services | Tailored educational support for post-16 learners with SEND, focusing on alternative provision pathways. | Both | Equal Education website |
| Overworld Amp Ltd | Overworld Amp Ltd | Specialist support for young people through creative and therapeutic approaches, including mentoring and engagement. | Both | Overworld Amp website |
| SENse Learning | SENse Learning | Bespoke learning programmes for neurodiverse learners, combining education with therapeutic input. | Both | Sense learning website |
| Targeted Provision Ltd | Transition or Re-integration to employment/ adulthood. | Support for young people transitioning into employment or adulthood, with personalised mentoring and planning. | Both | Targeted Provision website |
| Surrey Choices Ltd | Prep Plus | A programme focused on preparing young people for independence and adulthood through practical skills and experiences. | Both | Surrey Choices website |
| Surrey Choices Ltd | Future Choices | A future-focused service helping young people explore career paths, education, and independent living. | Both | Surrey Choices website |
| Disability Challengers | Challengers 555 Service | Inclusive face-to-face support offering structured activities and engagement for young people with disabilities. | Face to Face | Disability Challengers website |
| Edge Disability Consultancy Ltd | Edge Mentoring | One-to-one mentoring for young people with SEND, promoting confidence, independence, and personal development. | Face to Face | Edge Disability Consultancy Ltd website |
| Young Giants Ltd | Young Giants Ltd | Face-to-face educational support tailored to individual needs, with a focus on emotional wellbeing and academic progress. | Face to Face | Young Giants website |
| Bright Heart Education | Post 16 Support and Preparing for Adulthood | Holistic education and life skills support for post-16 learners, including academic tutoring and transition planning. | Both | Bright Heart Education website |
| Freshstart in Education Limited | Careers, Employability and Independence Programme (CEIP) | A structured programme supporting career readiness, employability skills, and independent living. | Both | Freshstart in Education website |
| Peer Productions | Peer Employment Pathway (PEP) | Creative arts-based employability programme helping young people build confidence and workplace skills. | Face to Face | Peer Productions website |
| SCL Education Group | Support into employment | Vocational training and employment support for young people, including work placements and career coaching. | Both | SCL Education Group website |
| YMCA East Surrey | Lifeworks Hub Pursuing Potential | A hub-based programme offering face-to-face support for personal development, employment, and wellbeing. | Face to Face | Lifeworks Learning Hub website |
| The Tutor Team | Post-16 Support Services Online Provision | Online tutoring and mentoring for post-16 learners, focusing on academic progress and personal growth. | Online | The Tutor Team website |
| Sugarman Health and Wellbeing Ltd | Sugarman Post-16 Career and Independence Program | Integrated support for career development and independent living, tailored to individual needs. | Both | Home - Sugarman Health and Wellbeing |
| The Dare2Dream Foundation | Post-16 Provision | Empowering young people through mentoring, education, and life skills to prepare for adulthood. | Both | Dare2Dream website |
| Halow Project | Building Futures | Face-to-face support helping young people with SEND build skills for independent living and future employment. | Face to Face | Halow Project website |