What is the difference between full-time and part-time alternative provision?

Full time is a complete, structured timetable for young people who need a full alternative to mainstream. Part time is a blended package alongside a mainstream or home placement, targeting specific gaps and building tolerance for a fuller timetable over time.

Can a young person stay on their school roll?

Yes. Part-time and outreach packages can sit alongside a mainstream placement, so a school can keep a young person on roll while they rebuild. Where the goal is a return to mainstream, we plan and pace reintegration carefully.

What ages does your alternative provision support?

Our alternative provision supports young people from Key Stage 3 to post-16.

How do I know which package is right?

Tell us about the young person and we will recommend the right starting point, with no obligation.

Our provision

Full-time, part-time and one-to-one alternative provision in Sheffield

Care Cove offers flexible alternative provision in Sheffield for young people from Key Stage 3 to post-16. From full-time placements to one-to-one and reintegration, our provision flexes to meet a young person exactly where they are and moves at their pace.

Care Cove in motion01 / 03

One size does not fit every learner.

Full-time, part-time, individual and reintegration support begin with a discussion about the young person's needs.

Ways we deliver

Ways we deliver alternative provision

Whatever the starting point, the underlying model stays the same: relationships, structure, and a plan built around outcomes that matter.

Full time

A complete, structured timetable combining core curriculum, vocational learning, sport and therapeutic support for young people who need a full alternative to mainstream.

Part time

A blended package alongside a mainstream or home placement, targeting specific gaps and building tolerance for a fuller timetable over time.

Reintegration

Structured, staged support to return a young person to mainstream school with a plan the receiving school can trust.

One-to-one

Intensive individual support for young people who aren't yet ready for a group, delivered by a consistent key adult.

Home tuition

Where attendance at a setting isn't currently possible, we bring high-quality teaching to the young person in an agreed, safe environment.

Outreach

In-school support that helps a mainstream setting hold a young person on roll before a placement breaks down.

Holiday programmes

Positive activity, structure and enrichment during the holidays to maintain routine and relationships.

Care Cove staff leading a group session while a young person raises their hand

A Care Cove day

A typical day

Structure that feels safe, not stifling

Predictable routine is one of the most powerful things we offer. Our days are structured and purposeful, but built with enough flexibility to respond to how a young person actually arrives and to keep them regulated, engaged and learning.

Each day at our alternative provision in Sheffield draws on our core curriculum, the Vocational Academy, sport and development and therapeutic support.

Calm, personalised arrival and check-in with a key adult
Focused core learning in small groups or one-to-one
Vocational or enrichment sessions built around interests
Physical activity and sport to reset and refocus
Reflection, restorative time and a positive close

See the learner journey

1:3

Typical staff-to-student ratio

KS3–Post-16

Age ranges we support

AM/PM

Flexible session patterns

1 day

Target referral response time

Questions

Alternative provision questions

Alternative provision (AP) is education outside mainstream school for young people who are excluded, at risk of exclusion or unable to attend for other reasons, such as anxiety or unmet SEND needs. At Care Cove in Sheffield, it brings together personalised teaching, therapeutic support, vocational learning and sport.

Ready when you are

Not sure which package fits?

Tell us about the young person and we'll recommend the right starting point, with no obligation.

Make a referral Contact our team