Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS)

Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS)

The majority of children/young people learn best when they attend their local school, are educated by teachers and learn amongst their peers.

In exceptional circumstances, when all other options have been considered and we agree that it would be inappropriate for all or any education and support to take place in an educational setting, we may agree to Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS). 

EOTAS is where a child or young person with an Education Health and Care Plan can receive educational provisions despite not being able to attend an educational setting.

EOTAS will only be agreed upon in the following circumstances:

• The child/young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan
• We are satisfied that it would be inappropriate for all or any special educational provision that we've decided is needed for you child/young person to be made in any educational setting.

Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014 in England allows local authorities to arrange for special educational provision for a child or young person to be made outside of a school or post-16 institution. This provision can include education at home or elsewhere, but only if it is deemed inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school or post-16 institution.

Therefore, we expect that in almost all cases, children/young people should attend an educational setting, unless it is inappropriate for them to do so. 

EOTAS arrangements are usually temporary until more suitable long-term arrangements can be made.

How to request an EOTAS package

Requesting an EOTAS package would usually be following the Education, Health and Care needs assessment (EHCNA), at the point where you are issued your draft Education, Health and Care Plan, or through an Annual Review of your child or young person’s Education, Health and Care Plan. This would require evidence to be presented as to why the provision in Section F is required to change and this provision can no longer be made within a school or other education setting. 

Following the annual review, the Local Authority will need to determine whether it is inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school or other setting, this will usually involve consultation with a range of schools and settings in order to make this decision. 

What happens if we agree an EOTAS package?

If we agree to EOTAS arrangements, they can be made in a number of ways, a couple of examples are listed below:

• We may arrange a package of education and support to be delivered in a variety of community settings such as libraries or community centres.
• You may request a personal budget to take control of arranging your child/young person’s education and support.

These arrangements will be described in Section F of the EHC Plan and Section I will remain blank as only a school or type of setting can be named in Section I. 

Depending on the reasons why your child/young person is unable to attend an education setting, an EOTAS ‘timetable’ is unlikely to be the same as a school timetable and may be less than full-time.

The Local Authority will be responsible for arranging and chairing the annual review for your child/young person while they are on an EOTAS package. 

What happens if we do not agree an EOTAS package?

If an EOTAS package is not agreed you will receive a detailed response regarding why this was not agreed, alongside details of how to access Mediation and a right of appeal to the SEND Tribunal. The SEND Team would like to discuss these concerns with you, and we can arrange a meeting if you would like this. You may also wish to contact SENDIASS for impartial advice and support.  

EOTAS arrangements are not the same as Elective Home Education arrangements. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SEND Team.