Which providers can apply to be on the new system?
The PALS electronic purchasing system will provide a quality assured list of alternative learning providers for Bristol schools and the local authority to buy places from. The majority of Bristol secondary schools have told us they will only buy places using this system, so any organisation offering part time or full time (long term or revolving door) alternative learning at key stages one to four in Bristol should consider applying. This includes free schools, independent schools, and part-time only providers.
Will providers on the new system still need to use their own Service Level
Agreements with schools?
The PALS electronic purchasing system has standard specifications and terms and conditions. When schools or the local authority place an order with a provider via the system these standard contract documents will apply.
When will the block contracts for full time alternative learning start?
The start date will be negotiated between Bristol City Council and successful providers – they will not necessarily begin in September 2016.
What happens if a full-time provider doesn’t win any of the initial block contracts?
As long as a full-time provider meets the standards required to be on the PALS electronic purchasing system then schools and the local authority will still be able to purchase individual places and/or blocks of places from them.
Where can I find the latest national background information on alternative learning?
Ofsted have published findings from a three year survey on the use of off-site alternative provision by schools and pupil referral units https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alternative-school-provision-findings-ofa-three-year-survey
A recently published white paper sets out the latest DfE vision for schools in
England, including a section on reforming alternative provision https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/educational-excellence-everywhere
As a new organisation how do we demonstrate our financial status?
There are some mandatory financial questions to join the system so that commissioners can assess the liquidity of provider organisations before entering into

any contracts. As a new organisation you should provide as much information as possible depending on your circumstances – we will let you know if more is required.
However the financial risks around purchasing part-time alternative learning are going to be relatively small compared to block contracts for full time places, so being a new organisation is unlikely to mean you cannot join the PAL system.
What are the outcomes that providers will need to evidence?
There will be some standard outcomes (e.g. attendance) that all providers in parttime and full-time settings will be expected to evidence. Because providers will have very different offers some of the outcomes can be evidenced in a more flexible way.
All the information about outcomes measures and monitoring will be made available at the application stage.
How do Providers keep up to date with updates to best practice and legislation around safeguarding children?
Provider organisations should have a designated safeguarding lead who agrees to keep up to date with safeguarding requirements. BSCS (Bristol Safeguarding
Children Board) offers regular inter-agency training http://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/bristol/index.html. Providers can also use the BSCS link to subscribe to updates to legislation and good practice. BCC
Safeguarding in Education Team offers single agency safeguarding training and produces a newsletter which providers on the framework can be subscribed to.
There is also training available via http://www.reconstruct.co.uk/services/training.html
Where can providers get equalities training?
Bristol City Council Equalities and Diversity team may be able to signpost to training opportunities including online training, but there are no plans for the council to provide or arrange equalities training for alternative learning providers. The
Equalities Impact Assessment that was carried out as part of the commissioning plan highlights many equalities issues affecting learners in alternative learning provision.
We are a part-time provider who is planning to team up with other part-time providers to offer a ‘blended package’ that would constitute a full-time offer.
How should we apply to be on the new system?
Part time providers can apply to join the new system independently and advertise that they are working in partnership with other organisations to offer a blended package. Also, if you intend to apply as a full-time provider and create a formal consortium arrangement then the lead organisation and other consortium members need to be identified at the application stage. There is more information about consortium arrangements in the Information for Tenderers document.
What guidance is there on ensuring the safety of educational premises?
School Premises – A List Of Applicable Legislation, Regulation and
Department for Education Statutory Guidance and Guidelines

This is not intended to be a fully inclusive list of all the legislation, regulation and guidance that is applicable to Schools. It is intended to highlight the main pieces of legislation and guidance and to direct the reader to other sources of information.
Statutory Requirements
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2004
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 Amended by the Health and Safety
(Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2012
Work At Height Regulations 2005
Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 (Radon)
Advice and guidance regarding the above publications is available from the HSE website (address below) and copies of the legislations are available as free downloads from the Government Publications website (address below).
Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations 2007
No. 991
Planning Regulations and Individual Building Regulations – please refer to the
Planning Portal www.planningportal.gov.uk
Access and Inclusion
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Disability Discrimination Act 2005
Equalities Act 2010
Copies are available as free downloads from the Government Publications website
(address below)
Guidance (School building design and maintenance)
‘Lighting Guide 5: Lighting for Education’ (LG5)
Building Bulletin 90: Lighting design for schools.
Building Bulletin 93: Acoustic design of schools
– performance standards.
Building Bulletin 100: Design for fire safety in schools.
Building Bulletin 101: Ventilation of school buildings.
Building Bulletin 102: Designing for disabled children and children with special educational needs.

Building Bulletin 103: Area guidelines for mainstream schools (Primary and
Secondary).
Building Bulletin 104: Area guidelines for SEND and Alternative Provision December
2015
Learning Environments in Pupil Referral Units.
Schools for the future: designing school grounds.
Advice On Standards For School Premises March 2015
Essential School Maintenance
– A Guide for Schools January 2016
Statutory Requirements
School Premises Regulations 2012
Statutory Framework For The Early Years Foundation Stage Effective September
2014
Copies of the School building design and maintenance and statutory requirements are available as free downloads from the Government Publications website listed below.
Useful Contacts:
Health and Safety Executive – www.hse.gov.uk
Department for Education (DfE)
– www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
Education Funding Agency – www.gov.uk/government/organisations/educationfunding-agency
Government Publications
– www.gov.uk/government/publications

Servicing, Testing and Inspection Intervals
Aspect Service Requirement Statutory/
Recommended/
Best Practice
Air Conditioning
Systems
Leakage of refrigerant
Automatic (powered)
Doors and Gates
Inspection
Certification
Best Practice
Statutory
Statutory
Inspection and Testing Recommended
Frequency/Regularity Relevant
Legislation/British
Standard/Approved
Code of Practice
Annual or twice a year
Not exceeding five years
Annual
The Energy
Performance of
Buildings (Certificates and Inspections)
(England and Wales)
Regulations 2007.
Fluorinated Green
House Gasses
Regulations 2015
Twice a year Workplace (Health,
Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1992.

Testing of all distribution boards in mobile
Statutory Annual
Health and Safety At
Work Act 1974.
Electrical - PAT Portable Appliance
Testing.
Recommended Variable according to
Risk Assessment, but can be up to annual.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998.
Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989.
Electrical – Fixed
Electrical Installations
Inspection of fixed wiring and all distribution boards and safety devices.
Highly Recommended Annual Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989.
BS7671 IEE Wiring
Regulations.
Testing of all fixed wiring and all distribution boards.
Statutory 5 yearly Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989.
BS7671 IEE Wiring
Regulations.
Electricity at Work

accommodation.
Electrical Stage Lighting Inspection and testing. Best Practice
Electrical Stage Lighting Inspection and testing of portable dimmer racks with no fixed cabling, plugs, sockets and flexible leads.
Best Practice
Emergency Lighting Inspection and testing of the system.
Statutory
Annual inspection and test by a competent person.
Regulations 1989.
BS7671 IEE Wiring
Regulations.
Every 3 months and after every alteration.
Extraction Systems including Fume
Cupboards and Wood
Dust Extraction Systems
Inspection and Testing of Dust Extraction
Equipment.
Best Practice
Recommended monthly checks by Responsible person. Every six months – 1 hour duration test. Annual full duration test.
Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989.
Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005.
Annual. Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health
2002.

Fire Detection and
Alarm Systems
Local Exhaust
Ventilation.
Statutory
Inspection and testing of system.
Best Practice
Fire Doors Inspection. Best Practice
Fire Fighting Equipment Inspection and maintenance of extinguishers.
Best Practice
Fire Fighting Equipment Inspection and testing of fire sprinkler system.
Best Practice
Every 14 months Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health
2002.
CLEAPSS – G9 Nov
2014 – Fume
Cupboards in Schools.
Revision of DfE BB 98. www.cleapss.org.uk
Weekly test with formal quarterly and annual inspections by a competent person.
Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005.
Weekly.
Annual.
Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005.
Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005.
Annual, although further checks may be necessary for specific
Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005.

Gas Appliances heaters, science
CDT equipment
–
Heating and Catering
Gas Equipment
– laboratory systems and
Gas Safety Inspections and Certificates
Inspection and testing.
Statutory
Statutory
Gas Pipe Work
Glazing
Visual condition inspection and testing if required.
Recommend.
Inspection and checks. Statutory insurance requirements.
Annual The Gas Safety
(Installations and Use)
Regulations 1998.
Gas Appliances (Safety)
Regulations 1995.
Annual The Gas Safety
(Installations and Use)
Regulations 1998.
Gas Appliances (Safety)
Regulations 1995.
Annual The Gas Safety
(Installations and Use)
Regulations 1998.
Initial survey of premises to identify areas where safety glazing should be in place. Ongoing checks to ensure glazing
Workplace (Health,
Safety and Welfare
Regulations 1992) and
Building Regulations
Part N.

Hydrotherapy Pools and
Swimming Pools
Lifts and Hoists Thorough examination, full maintenance and inspection.
Statutory
Lighting Conductors Inspection and testing Best Practice replacements meet required standards.
Health and Safety at
Work Act 1974.
The HSE Publication
HSG179 Managing health and safety in swimming pools.
Every six months for passenger and platform lifts.
Lifting Operations and
Lifting Equipment
Regulations 1998
(LOLER).
Every 12 months for goods lifts.
Every six months for fixed, ceiling and mobile hoists and height adjustable changing tables.
Every 11 months full test to access adequacy of earthing, evidence of corrosion, alterations to
BS6551, 1992.

Water Hygiene and
Water Safety
(Legionnaires Disease)
Risk Assessment Statutory structure (by competent persons to BS7430).
Water temperature checks and water sampling according to
School type.
Recommended Nursery,
Early Years and Special
Schools
– monthly. All other types of School – every two months.
Health and Safety at
Work Act 1974.
Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health
Regulations 2002
(COSHH).
Legionnaires Disease
–
The Control of
Legionella Bacteria in
Water Systems
Approved Code of
Practice.