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Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS)

Is my child eligible for EOTAS? 

For most children and young people, being educated within a school or college and alongside their peers is the best way to ensure they learn independence, have equal opportunities and are well prepared for adulthood. 

However, for a very small number of children and young people with complex needs, it may be inappropriate for them to attend a mainstream or special school or college (for example where the child has a long term illness or disability, particular educational needs or mental health difficulties). For these children, an EOTAS package may be the best option. 

What does the law say? 

The Children and Families Act 2014 (Section 61) states that:

"A local authority may arrange for any special educational provision that it has decided is necessary for a child or young person for whom it is responsible to be made otherwise than in a school or post-16 institution or a place at which relevant early years education is provided.

An authority may do so only if satisfied that it would be inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school or post-16 institution or at such a place.

Before doing so, the authority must consult the child's parent or the young person".

How can I request EOTAS?

In Hertfordshire, you can only request EOTAS through the EHCP process. If your child already has an EHCP, this can be done through their annual review. 

At the annual review (or as part of the EHCP assessment), you will discuss reasons for requesting EOTAS and any concerns you have about your child attending a school or college. You and a member of the SEND team will work closely to explore options, including what evidence there is that it is 'inappropriate' for your child to attend any school or setting (not just the one they are currently enrolled at). Evidence may include reports from professionals (for example, an educational psychologist) saying that they believe that your child is unable to attend school at the moment.

An EOTAS package must be agreed by both us (Hertfordshire County Council) and you - the parent/carer.   If it is agreed, Section I in your child's EHCP will remain blank (as no school or setting is deemed to be appropriate).  The provision needed by your child will be detailed and specified in Section F of the EHCP.  This will inform the type of provision in the EOTAS package. 

What type of provision is included in an EOTAS package? 

Each EOTAS package will be tailored to meet the individual child or young person's educational needs.  Examples of the kind of provision sometimes included in an EOTAS package are: 

  • Online tuition or home tuition
  • Mentoring
  • Therapies such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or physiotherapy

Section F of your child or young person's EHCP outlines the types of special educational provision needed for your child/young person to achieve their educational outcomes. The EOTAS package will be worked out according to the provision specified in Section F.

If EOTAS is agreed, you will get help from your Provision Coordinator (or your EHC Coordinator from the Services for Young People team if your young person is over 16) to identify suitable providers who can deliver the support identified in Section F of the EHCP.  Where possible, they will liaise with the providers to set up and monitor the provision.  In some situations a parent may request a personal budget and take on the responsiblity for identifying and commissioning the appropriate support.

How will my child's EOTAS package be monitored? 

Once your child's EHCP is agreed, you will be assigned a 'Provision Coordinator' from the SEND Team. (If your child is over 16, they will have an EHC Coordinator from the Services for Young People team).   They will work with you to make sure the provision detailed in Section F of the EHCP is put in place, and will be in regular contact with you through half-termly meetings to oversee and monitor the provision. 

The EOTAS package will be reviewed once a year through the annual review.  In most cases, an EOTAS package will be a short-term solution which will aim to support a child or young person to move towards accessing an educational setting.  We want to make sure that all young people are encouraged to be as independent as possible, and are well prepared for their transition into adulthood.  

How is the EOTAS provision paid for? 

The provision detailed in your child's EOTAS package will be paid for in one of these ways: 

  • we (Hertfordshire County Council) will commission and pay for the services directly
  • a personal budget will be held by you (the parent/carer) and used to pay for these services
  • the services will be paid for by a combination of the above (direct commissioning and personal budgets) 

The funding for the EOTAS package will be worked out according to the provision identified in Section F once EOTAS has been agreed in the EHCP. 

Organisations that can support you

SENDIASS

Impartial and confidential information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities, and young people and children with SEND.

IPSEA

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a charity offering free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with SEND