{"id":8912,"date":"2025-04-18T11:33:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T10:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/?page_id=8912"},"modified":"2026-04-19T15:09:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T14:09:52","slug":"what-is-an-ap-tutor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/what-helps-guides\/what-is-an-ap-tutor\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an AP Tutor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;80px||80px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;What is an AP tutor?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;&#8211;et_global_heading_font||||||||&#8221; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;center&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Understanding what an Alternative Provision tutor can do&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>If you&#8217;re new to the term <em>AP tutor<\/em>, you&#8217;re not alone. AP stands for Alternative Provision, a type of education set up for children and young people who aren\u2019t currently able to attend mainstream school. This might be due to anxiety, trauma, illness, exclusion, or simply because mainstream environments don\u2019t meet their needs, especially for neurodivergent students like PDAers.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>An AP tutor is someone who works with children and young people in these situations, often 1:1 or in very small groups-offering a more flexible and personalised way to access learning. They may be part of a formal education centre or an outreach service that supports learners at home or in community spaces.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>We asked some AP tutors to tell us about what they do \u2013 here is what they said:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;What does an AP tutor do?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>AP tutors adapt learning to suit the individual, this might include:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<ul>\n<li>Visiting a child at home to explore learning through games, projects, or creative activities.<\/li>\n<li>Providing educational support in a way that feels safe and achievable.<\/li>\n<li>Working flexibly and creatively to reduce anxiety and increase engagement.<\/li>\n<li>Helping students work towards personal or curriculum-based goals at a pace that works for them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>Many AP tutors also act as a bridge between education and wellbeing, offering emotional support and consistency, especially for children who are struggling with trust, self-esteem, or past trauma related to school.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;What qualifications do they have?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>AP tutors often have teaching qualifications, and many have extra training or lived experience in working with:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<ul>\n<li>Autism and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance).<\/li>\n<li>Trauma-informed approaches.<\/li>\n<li>Mental health support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>Because the role can vary, so do the qualifications. Some tutors work independently, while others are employed through schools, local authorities, or private services.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;How can an AP tutor support a PDAer?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>AP tutors can support PDAers by:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<ul>\n<li>Reducing demands and following the child\u2019s lead.<\/li>\n<li>Being playful, flexible, and non-judgemental.<\/li>\n<li>Offering a safe relationship before expecting engagement.<\/li>\n<li>Creating bespoke learning activities that build confidence and curiosity.<\/li>\n<li>Understanding PDA-specific needs and not using traditional behaviour systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;What adaptations can AP tutors make for PDAers?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>AP tutors are often especially well-placed to adapt to PDA profiles because of the flexible, individualised nature of their work. Some of the adaptations they shared include:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<ul>\n<li>Using declarative language: (e.g. &#8220;I wonder if&#8230;&#8221; instead of instructions).<\/li>\n<li>Lowering expectations in ways that build trust and connection first.<\/li>\n<li>Offering choices and autonomy to help reduce anxiety around control.<\/li>\n<li>Tuning into sensory needs and adjusting environments or sessions accordingly.<\/li>\n<li>Working outside traditional school settings, which can reduce overwhelm.<\/li>\n<li>Building learning around the child\u2019s interests, so engagement feels natural rather than pressured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>These professionals often challenge mainstream approaches and offer alternative ways of learning and relating that are more suited to PDAers&#8217; needs.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Why are AP tutors important?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>One AP tutor told us: \u201cFor many PDAers and their families, an AP tutor is the first person in education who truly gets it. They can make learning feel possible again-and most importantly, they can help children feel seen and safe.\u201d<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||24px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Where did this information come from?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; title_text_align_tablet=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; title_text_align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>PDAers and their families often tell us how confusing and unsettling it can be to meet new professionals &#8211; especially when it&#8217;s not clear what their job is or what good support looks like. That\u2019s why we asked professionals themselves to tell us, in their own words, what they do. You\u2019ll find their honest, personal answers in the \u2018What professionals do\u2019 section of our site.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>This is a growing resource, so if you don\u2019t see the role you\u2019re looking for yet, you could ask the person you&#8217;re working with to fill in <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ZjO7TrW5PU-dMb7qD3P6ZthT0e_31LVMnxgpFQFJFRpUOFdaM0RBMkxBSTZWTEE4NU1VMzY1NENSWC4u\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><u>this short form.<\/u><\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|16px|0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;32px|0px||0px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0px||16px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_orientation_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_orientation_phone=&#8221;left&#8221; text_orientation_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p>Please note: these insights come from individual professionals, not official organisations, so you might find some variation in how people describe their roles. If you\u2019re wondering whether a service you\u2019ve been offered is the right fit, our <a href=\"\/research-professional-practice\/finding-safe-appropriate-services\/\">guides to finding helpful support<\/a> can help.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Information for PDAers and their families explaining the role of an alternative provision (AP) tutor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":8181,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"course_tag":[340,321],"class_list":["post-8912","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","course_tag-alternative-provision","course_tag-pda-basics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8912"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8912\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"course_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/course_tag?post=8912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}