Schools and Commissioners -Referral Routes
SkillsFit works alongside schools, colleges, local authorities and partners through a range of clear and flexible commissioning routes. Provision is shaped collaboratively to reflect local priorities, funding arrangements and the needs of the young people involved.
Commissioning Routes
School or College Funded Provision
Directly commissioned by schools or colleges to support individual learners or small groups. This route allows for flexible, responsive intervention aligned to internal attendance, behaviour, engagement or pastoral priorities.
Local Authority Commissioned Programmes
Delivered through local authority frameworks, panels or agreed commissioning arrangements. Programmes are designed to align with local strategies, expectations and reporting requirements.
Alternative Provision Referrals
SkillsFit can be commissioned to support young people already accessing alternative provision, providing complementary opportunities that enhance their overall programme. This includes skill development, industry-focused experiences and enrichment or health and wellbeing activities delivered in high-quality, off-site settings. Provision is designed to add variety, motivation and real-world relevance alongside a young person’s core AP placement.
Early Intervention & Prevention Support
Targeted support commissioned to help stabilise engagement, attendance or behaviour before challenges escalate. Often used as part of a graduated response within schools or settings, supporting early action and positive routines.
Grant-Funded and Partnership Projects
Programmes delivered through grant funding or partnership arrangements, particularly via SkillsFit CIC. These projects respond to identified community, cohort or neighbourhood needs and focus on engagement, progression and positive pathways.
Bespoke Commissioned Provision
Custom-designed programmes developed in response to specific local needs, cohorts or priorities. This route allows commissioners to shape delivery, outcomes and reporting in line with their context.
Attendance and Reporting
Shared Attendance Focus
SkillsFit works alongside schools, settings and commissioners to support positive attendance and engagement. Attendance expectations and focus are agreed at referral stage, ensuring provision complements existing plans and priorities.
Clear Communication
Regular communication is maintained with referring settings to share updates on engagement, participation and progress. This ensures all partners remain informed and able to respond appropriately.
Meaningful Reporting
Reporting is proportionate, outcome-focused and tailored to commissioning requirements. Information shared supports review, next-step planning and wider reintegration or progression discussions.
Provision Types & Rates
SkillsFit firmly believe in offering high-quality, specialist provision at a transparent and fair rate. Where we do operate under a framework of provision types and standard delivery rates; we also recognise that every partnership and learner cohort is different.
SkillsFit Provision Types – A Guide
Full Day Placement
What this includes:
Up to 6 hours of structured delivery, mentoring, activities, and access to appropriate refreshments.
Half-Day Placement
What this includes:
Typically 2.5–3 hours of structured and targeted support and activities.
Hourly / Sessional Delivery
What this includes:
Suitable for short-term interventions, enrichment sessions or taster activities.
1:1 Enhanced Targeted Mentoring
What this includes:
Suitable where 1:1 staffing or enhanced support is required due to a higher level of need, or specific referral requirements.
Flexible Commissioning and Funding
SkillsFit welcomes conversations around:
-
Group or block bookings
-
Project-funded models
-
Partnership-based delivery
-
Grant-funded or pilot programmes (particularly via SkillsFit CIC)
All pricing is discussed openly to ensure provision delivers value, impact and sustainability for both young people and commissioning partners.
How our pricing works
-
Group delivery is the standard model for SkillsFit provision and allows for effective, sustainable delivery within industry-based and on-site settings.
-
1:1 enhanced ratios are used where appropriate and reflect the additional staffing and delivery time involved.
-
Post-programme progress reviews and reintegration planning discussions are included as part of the full offer where relevant.
-
Travel confidence, further mentoring and enrichment elements are built into programmes or offered by arrangement, depending on the needs of the young person.