Mia Brown, Author at LearnTrek

Revolutionising Alternative Provision: How Learntrek is Digitising the ILP

by Mia Brown | Apr 13, 2026 | Blog

In the Alternative Provision (AP) sector, being adaptable is in everything we do. A major shift is coming that requires more than just adaptability - it requires a digital transformation.

Following the Voluntary National Standards published in August 2025, the Government has made its trajectory clear: while these standards are currently voluntary, they are the blueprint for a new legal framework. With an act of Parliament expected in the Spring 2026 parliamentary session, these standards are set to become mandatory.

At Learntrek, we have been watching this closely. We are proud to be one of the first software companies to provide a dedicated ILP (Individual Learning Plan) module that specifically answers these new requirements.

From "Induction Plans" to "Joint Plans"

While the new standards don’t always use the specific term "ILP," the Government’s own guidance for commissioners (issued February 2025) is much more explicit. It outlines that every placement should be governed by what they call an "Induction Plan" or a "Joint Plan."

Whatever name you give it, the requirement is the same. A document that outlines:

The baseline of the student.
The specific, individualised targets for their placement.
A clear strategy for progress and reintegration.

As these standards move from voluntary guidance into statutory law in 2026, paper forms and basic spreadsheets won't be sufficient. To remain on a local authority’s commissioned list, providers will need to demonstrate that their progress tracking software can handle these "Joint Plans" and provide full transparency and easy access.

Why "Progress Tracking Software" is the Key to 2026 Compliance

The government's response to the Strengthening Protections in Non-School Alternative Provision consultation highlights a push for better oversight. You cannot provide "oversight" without adapting to ensure your tech systems are ready to meet the moment.

By using Learntrek’s progress tracking software, your ILPs/Joint Plans become a powerful tool for compliance:

Alignment with National Standards: We have built the August 2025 standards directly into our architecture.
Instant Commissioner Reporting: When a Local Authority asks for evidence of the "Joint Plan," you can generate a professional, data-backed report in seconds.
Real-Time Progress: Unlike a paper Induction Plan that sits in a folder, a Learntrek ILP updates as the student progresses, providing evidence from day one.

Learntrek: One of the First to Bridge the Gap

We recognized early on that the transition from the February 2025 guidance to the Spring 2026 mandatory standards would be a headache for providers. That’s why we have worked to become a market leader in this space.

LearnTrek is one of the first software providers to offer a solution that specifically facilitates these mandatory changes. We don’t just track attendance; we track the journey specified in your statutory Joint Plans.

Future-Proof Your Provision

The shift is coming. The move to mandatory standards is a chance for high-quality AP providers to prove their value through better data and clearer student outcomes. Don't wait for the Act of Parliament to de-rail your provision in 2026. Start building your digital "Joint Plans" today with a system designed for the future of Alternative Provision.

Documentation shouldn’t be a factor APs should be prioritising. Learntrek prioritises it for you so students are alternative provision’s main focus. The jump to mandatory will come as an uncomfortable change for some communities, if not kept up to date. Learntrek strives to be at the forefront of the change.

Stay in the loop! Follow our journey and discussions over on LinkedIn

MFA for Alternative Provision: Closing the School Cyber-Gap

by Mia Brown | Feb 4, 2026 | Blog

The Nation Cyber Security Centre warned us that MFA-targeted attacks were coming. The 2025 data proves they are here.

The Funding Gap in School Security

All parts of the education sector investigated by NCSC were found to have a higher percentage of cyber attacks than the 43% level experienced by businesses across all sectors. Although Primary Schools and Secondary Schools were the lowest of the education sector, they nevertheless reported 44% Primary and 60% Secondary attacks or breaches in the last year (as of mid 2025). The most common form of cyberattacks was phishing, impersonation and viruses/spyware/malware. All forms of these attacks cause risk of interfering with children's education and Alternative Provision support.

External sources of support can help to lessen the number of breaches. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), for example, is an extra layer of security for educational institutions to keep their information safe. The National Standards for Non School Alternative Provision will mark a change for alternative provisions and how they are expected to work. Section 3 of the standards focuses on admissions, support and guidance, requiring private information to be well protected in line with GDPR.

While larger schools and academies have the safety net of larger trust-wide budgets, expertise as well as access to government funded schemes and support; Alternative Provisions often operate on the front lines with fewer resources. This creates a 'security gap' that cyberattackers are eager to exploit. At Learntrek, we don’t believe your students’ data should be less secure just because your setting is smaller. We’ve designed our platform to bridge that gap - giving you the same 'lock-and-key' protection used by major institutions, but tailored specifically for the unique workflow of an AP.

What is MFA?

A verification method of multiple security methods and options. Passwords, passwordless MFA and a code provided by an app or biometric authenticator being the most common.

We Can Help

At Learntrek we offer MFA free of charge in our software as we don't believe security should be an add-on. Data is securely hosted by Amazon Web Services, and we provide a range of cyber security measures including cyber security scanning alongside MFA. Registered with the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials programme, we make it as clear as possible that we value security of the students and staff first. Our databases allow a restricted line of access to specific individuals, and cybersecurity is a core part of Learntrek handling sensitive information.

Empowering Your Team

It can be overwhelming to keep up with the constant security updates required to battle modern cyberattacks. That is why we don’t just provide the software; we provide the knowledge. We offer comprehensive staff training (via support videos, training calls, or face-to-face sessions) to help your team understand and navigate your security system with confidence.

Moving Beyond the Spreadsheet

Whether you are currently using cloud backups or a simple Excel spreadsheet, we know that tackling admin and security can feel like a mountain to climb - especially with smaller teams.

Learntrek is designed to be flexible and customizable, adapting to the specific security measures your institution needs to remain compliant. While MFA usage is increasing across the education sector, we want to ensure Alternative Provisions are not left behind. By handling vulnerability management seamlessly, we allow you to focus on the needs of your students rather than anxieties about technical compliance.

Secure Your Provision Today

Cybersecurity shouldn't be a luxury reserved for the biggest budgets. It is about protecting the personal data of the young people in your care.

Ready to see how Learntrek can protect your setting? If you have questions or would like to see a demo of our MFA and security features in action? Complete our contact form. A member of our team will get back to you within 24 hours.