EOTAS (Educated other than at school)

EOTAS – Educated Other Than At School

What is EOTAS?

EOTAS is an alternative form of education for children and young people who are unable to attend a mainstream or special school. It involves a bespoke education plan delivered outside of a traditional school environment, often at home or in the community.

Under Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014, local authorities have the power to agree to EOTAS where:

• A child or young person with SEND cannot be appropriately educated in a school or post-16 setting.
• The local authority has consulted with the child’s parents or the young person themselves.
• Sufficient evidence has been gathered to demonstrate that school-based provision is inappropriate.

Factors that may influence this decision include:

• Medical history, including mental health needs
• The nature of the child or young person’s special educational needs (SEND)
• Their previous experiences and responses to education settings
• Formal consultations and assessments with educational settings and professionals

Is EOTAS permanent?

EOTAS is often introduced as a temporary solution, especially while a suitable school placement is identified. However, in some cases, it may remain in place long-term, as long as it continues to meet the child or young person’s needs and aligns with statutory requirements.

How is EOTAS included in an EHCP?

The EOTAS package is detailed in Section F of the child or young person’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It is developed in collaboration with:

• Parents or carers
• Educational and therapeutic settings
• External professionals
• The child or young person

A high-quality EOTAS package is fully personalised and may include:

• Tailored access to the national curriculum
• Educational trips and enrichment activities
• Specialist support (educational, health, or care-related)
• Equipment or resources needed for learning
• Therapeutic interventions
• Life skills development

The EOTAS provision is reviewed annually as part of the statutory EHCP review process.

How AM Support Ltd Can Help

We offer a wide range of services that can be delivered as part of an EOTAS package, including:

• 1:1 mentoring and support
• Therapeutic support
• Educational trips and learning in the community
• Support for social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs
• Support for communication and interaction
• Support for cognition and learning
• Development of life skills
• Home tuition

We work closely with families and professionals to develop bespoke packages that meet the individual needs identified in each EHCP.

If you’re exploring EOTAS or would like to know more about how we can support, please get in touch.