Commissioning a Compass placement
What the referral process looks like, what a placement includes, how costs are structured and what is agreed in writing before any delivery begins.
From enquiry to first session
01. Enquiry
Contact us with an outline of the learner's year group, presenting needs, current attendance and what the placement needs to achieve. No identifying details are needed at this stage. A Programme Lead then talks through referral information, SEND needs, EHCP outcomes, risk information and delivery options.
02. Parent / young person / commissioners meeting
The named Programme Lead meets with the parent and young person to discuss the placement, gain the young person's views and interests, and agree the delivery plan before any sessions begin.
03. Delivery plan
We confirm current availability, the proposed delivery pattern and location, the tutor and mentor match, and any specialist or qualification requirements.
04. Written placement agreement
Before delivery begins, the scope, delivery pattern, start date, review dates, reporting arrangements and full cost are confirmed in writing to the commissioner.
05. Baseline and ILDP
Academic diagnostic, personal needs assessment and individual risk assessment produce the Individual Learning and Development Plan with starting points and targets.
06. Delivery and six-week reviews
Sessions begin, attendance is monitored session by session, and the commissioner receives a written review evidencing progress against EHCP outcomes, barriers, changes and next steps every six weeks.
Support that complements the wider education plan
A Compass package can sit alongside the work already being led by the school, local authority, family and involved professionals.
The named Programme Lead maintains communication with the referring school, contributes to professional and review meetings, and supports collaborative transition or reintegration planning throughout the placement.
Included in every commissioned placement
A managed placement, not a set of separate sessions to coordinate yourself.
- A named Programme Lead who coordinates the placement and is your single point of contact. They will attend all professionals meetings and input into EHC planning.
- Academic diagnostic, personal needs assessment and an Individual Learning and Development Plan
- One-to-one teaching by specialist staff, with curriculum content adapted to the learner
- Early intervention, mentoring, personal development and re-engagement work alongside academic sessions
- Individual and venue risk assessments, and ongoing session-by-session attendance monitoring
- Regular communication with the family, the school and placing professionals
- A written six-weekly review shared with the commissioner
- Active coordination of phased reintegration and professional handover towards the agreed next destination
- Examination and assessment entry and coordination, where applicable
What is agreed in writing
So there is no ambiguity about scope, responsibility or cost once a learner starts.
What is confirmed in writing before a placement starts
Related: progress and reporting and our policies.
Manchester City Council approved provider
Compass Learning is a local authority approved part-time alternative provision and an approved provider within Manchester City Council's MIAPS arrangements.
Approval does not replace individual suitability checks. Each placement is assessed and agreed around the learner, intended outcomes, delivery arrangements and current availability.
What is agreed before an external setting is included
A practical setting is included only when it serves the learner's plan and the responsibilities, costs and safeguards are clear.
Fit with the programme
The activity, intended EHCP or personal-development outcomes, relevant NOCN unit or Arts Award requirements, and evidence to be gathered.
Partner and setting checks
Safeguarding, suitability, accessibility, insurance, facilities, confidentiality, supervision, travel and emergency arrangements.
Mentor attendance
The learner always attends a partner setting with a Compass mentor who supports preparation, participation, safeguarding, evidence and reflection.
Availability and cost
Partner availability, travel, room or facility costs and any specialist assessment charges are confirmed before the activity is agreed.
Discuss a placement with the Programme Lead team
Tell us about the learner and we will advise on suitability, delivery options, availability and what a placement would include before anything is agreed.