Guidance for EOTAS Packages & Funding
EOTAS is an alternative form of education arranged by the local authority. When a child’s needs cannot be met in a school setting. This section aims to explain what EOTAS is, when it can be considered & how families can explore this option.
Under the Children & Families Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to ensure that children and young people receive the special educational provision outlined in their Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs), unless suitable alternative arrangements have been made by the parents or young person.
The following guidance has been written with regard to the Children & Families Act 2014, as well as the Education Act 1996 and the Equality Act 2010.
DISCLAIMER: We have taken great care to research & provide accurate information at the time of writing. However, the content below is intended as guidance & should not replace independent research. We encourage all readers to verify details & seek additional advice where needed to ensure the information is right for their individual circumstances.
Further Information:
- What is EOTAS?
- EOTAS Pathways
- EOTAS Funding
What is EOTAS?
PLEASE NOTE: It is important not to formally withdraw your young person from education. As in this case, the local authority will usually be unable to offer any further assistance, funding or support.
Educational Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) provides personalized educational arrangements for young people with an EHCP. Unable to attend traditional school settings due to their unique needs.
This ensures young people can continue to receive the necessary support & education in an environment suited to them.
✔ Eligibility: EOTAS is available for young people with an EHCP when it’s determined that a school or college setting isn’t appropriate.
✔ Decision Process: The local authority assesses the suitability of EOTAS based on the young person’s individual circumstances, consulting with parents or carers throughout the process.
✔ Provision: The local authority is responsible for arranging & funding the educational provision outlined in Section F of the EHCP, ensuring it meets the young person’s specific needs.
✔ Review: EOTAS arrangements are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective and continue to support the young person’s development & progression.
If you believe EOTAS might be suitable for your young person, discuss this with your Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or SEND Case Officer.
Elective Home Education (EHE)
EOTAS is not the same as Elective Home Education (EHE). Here are some important points to distinguish between Elective Home Education (EHE) and Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS):
Elective Home Education (EHE):
✔ EHE is when parents or carers choose to educate their young person at home instead of sending them to school.
✔ This choice is entirely voluntary & is made by the parents or carers.
✔ If a young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), & the parents opt for EHE, they take on full responsibility for providing the education outlined in the EHCP, including any special support, services or costs.
✔ The local authority is not required to fund or arrange any part of the young person’s education under EHE.
Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS):
✔ EOTAS is arranged by the local authority when it’s determined that a school setting is not suitable for the young person.
✔ This decision is based on assessments and is not initiated by parental choice.
✔ Under EOTAS, the local authority is responsible for organizing and funding the young person’s education, which may take place at home or in another appropriate setting.
✔ EOTAS is designed to ensure that the young person receives a suitable education when school attendance isn’t possible.
Key Points to Remember:
✔ Choosing EHE means parents take on all aspects of their young person’s education, including costs & arrangements.
✔ EOTAS is provided by the local authority for young people who cannot be educated in a school environment due to specific needs.
✔ EOTAS is not a way for parents to receive funding for home education they’ve chosen themselves.
✔ The local authority only agrees to EOTAS when it’s clear that no school setting can meet the young person’s educational needs.
“Full Time Education” & EOTAS
What Does “Full-Time” Education Mean?
There isn’t a strict legal definition of “full-time” education. However, it’s generally understood as:
✔ For children aged 5 to 16 (statutory school age): Around 18 hours of lessons per week.
✔ For young people aged 16 to 19 in further education: Approximately 16 hours of lessons or study per week.
These are typical guidelines, but the exact number of hours can vary based on individual circumstances.
When Full-Time Education Isn’t Possible
Sometimes, a child or young person may not be able to attend full-time education due to:
✔ Complex medical conditions
✔ Social or emotional challenges
✔ Mental health needs
In such cases, it’s acceptable—and sometimes better—for local authorities to arrange less than full-time education, at least for a while.
Key Points to Remember
✔ “Full-time” education typically means around 18 hours per week for school-aged children.
✔ Local authorities can arrange less than full-time education if it’s in the best interest of the child or young person.
✔ EOTAS is a tailored educational arrangement for those who can’t attend traditional schools.
Important Considerations
When EOTAS arrangements are being considered, local authorities consider all the circumstances that may contribute to the appropriateness of attending an education setting, such as:
✔ The young person’s background & circumstances
✔ Available facilities in schools versus alternative arrangements
✔ Cost-effectiveness of potential alternative arrangements
✔ The young person’s response to different educational environments
✔ Parents’ or carers’ preferences & involvement
Parents’ or carers’ engagement is vital in developing effective EOTAS packages.
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For more information, see:
GOV.UK – EHCPs & Support
GOV.UK – Alternative Provision
GOV.UK – Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school
GOV.UK – Arranging Education for children who cannot attend school
Learning Support Hub
EOTAS Pathways
PLEASE NOTE: It is important not to formally withdraw your young person from education. As in this case, the local authority will usually be unable to offer any further assistance, funding or support.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for parents, care givers & other professionals seeking EOTAS (Education Other Than at School) funding:
Step 1: Identify Suitable EOTAS Options
Research potential EOTAS services—like tutoring, therapy, activities, or life skills programs—that align with the EHCP objectives. Include information on how each service can help meet educational goals outside of school.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Collect evidence supporting why mainstream or special education isn’t suitable to meet the needs of your young person.
Examples of evidence can include reports from educators, healthcare providers, therapists. Or records of unmet needs or unsuccessful support within the school setting.
Step 3: Ask for an EOTAS Assessment
Ask your local authority for an EOTAS assessment in writing.
You can also use the internet to search “local authority special educational needs and disabilities team in“. Then add your local village, town, city or county. This should generate the web page with information you need.
Alternatively, use the government local council finder to find your local authority website.
Detail the specific services and support you believe would best meet your young person’s needs . As well as why these needs aren’t being met in school, based on EHCP goals and gathered evidence.
The templates below can help you ask your local authority for an alternative provision (AP), including EOTAS:
The below template is if your young person is unable to attend school because of health needs such as illness or anxiety, or for any other reason they are unable to attend:
There is no absolute legal deadline by which local authorities must start to arrange education for children with additional health needs.
However statutory guidance is clear that education should be provided as soon as it is clear your young person will be away from school for 15 days or more, and at the latest by the sixth day of the absence.
It does not matter if those 15 days have occurred one after the other (so as a block of time) or at separate points over the school year.
The template below, should be used if your young person is out of school because they don’t have a school place:
For children with no school place, education must be provided immediately.
The template below should be used if your young person is unable to attend school due to permanent exclusion:
Education must be provided from the sixth school day after the exclusion.
Please note that for fixed term exclusions/suspensions of more than five school days, it is your child’s school (not the LA) that must provide the suitable, alternative education.
Step 4: Options Meetings
Be prepared to attend a meeting with the local authority, school representatives, and other stakeholders. This will be to discuss what you have asked for in more detail. As well as to explore any suitable EOTAS provisions. Be prepared to justify your proposed alternatives further.
Step 5: Decision Follow Up & Considerations
After the meeting, stay in touch with the local authority to follow up on the decision. If approved, you will get EOTAS funding to arrange the specified services. If denied, you have the right to appeal.
Step 6: Implement EOTAS Plan
Once approved, start coordinating the EOTAS services as per the agreed plan.
Regularly review your young person’s progress, keeping the local authority updated as required in line with the EHCP.
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Start learning today.
For more information, see:
GOV.UK – EHCPs & Support
GOV.UK – Alternative Provision
GOV.UK – Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school
GOV.UK – Arranging Education for children who cannot attend school
Learning Support Hub
EOTAS Funding
PLEASE NOTE: It is important not to formally withdraw your young person from education. As in this case, the local authority will usually be unable to offer any further assistance, funding or support.
EOTAS funding, typically provided by your local authority, covers:
✔ Tutoring & specialist teachers
✔ Activities relevant to the EHCP aims & goals
✔ Therapies (e.g., speech & language, occupational therapy)
✔ Educational resources & equipment
✔ Alternative provisions like life skills programs or specialist centers
✔ Support services tailored to the EHCP
This funding is designed to match the quality of education provided in state-funded settings. Focusing solely on the provisions detailed in Section F of your young person’s Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
EOTAS & Personal Budgets
A personal budget allows you to manage the funds allocated for your young person’s educational support. There are three ways to manage this budget:
✔ Notional Budget: The local authority manages the funds & arranges the provision, either wholly or partially
✔ Direct Payment: You receive the funds directly to arrange the specified support
✔ Combination: A mix of both approaches
Opting for a direct payment provides flexibility but comes with responsibilities, including:
✔ Hiring and managing staff (e.g., tutors, therapists)
✔ Conducting necessary checks (e.g., DBS)
✔ Maintaining financial records and reporting to the local authority
✔ Ensuring the quality and appropriateness of the services provided
It’s important to note that personal budgets cannot be used to pay for:
✔ Fees for private school placements
✔ Services not specified in the EHCP
✔ Reimbursement for parental time
Combining Budgets
If your young person’s EHCP includes health (Section G) or social care (Section H) provisions, you may be eligible for additional personal budgets. Combining these budgets can offer a more holistic approach to meeting your young person’s educational, health, and social care needs.
Variation Between Local Authorities
Some local authorities give more funding than others. Parents & care givers can ask for a personal budget to manage part of the funding directly. If this is specified within the EHCP.
Ready to explore how to use EOTAS funding effectively for private tuition, group learning, additional activities & support services?
Invest in opportunity.
Start learning today.
For more information, see:
GOV.UK – EHCPs & Support
GOV.UK – Alternative Provision
GOV.UK – Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school
GOV.UK – Arranging Education for children who cannot attend school
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