Are you considering an EOTAS package for your child?
Are you looking for a bespoke and nurturing approach?
Are you looking for the very best specialist support for your child?
If so, please read on!
When a child cannot attend school due to their special educational needs, families may be able to access an EOTAS or EOTIS (Education Otherwise Than At/In School) package funded by the local authority or through a personal budget.
At SENsational Tutors, we provide specialist EOTAS tutoring and EOTAS coordinators that can form part of an EOTAS education package.
This page answers the following questions:
EOTAS stands for Education Otherwise Than At School. It is also known as EOTIS.
EOTAS is usually arranged under section 19 Education Act 1996, which requires the LA to provide ‘suitable education’ for children who cannot attend school because of illness, exclusion or otherwise.
‘Suitable education’ means
It can also be arranged under Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014 whereby a local authority must arrange education outside of school if it would be inappropriate for the child’s special educational needs to be met in a school setting.
EOTAS is usually written into an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
It is often appropriate when:
For many children, one-to-one specialist tutoring becomes the core educational provision and an absolute lifeline.
See below for some key facts about EOTAS:
An EOTAS Package works by a parent/guardian securing funding for the payment of private tutoring outside of mainstream schooling. This is used in a situation where it is not feasible for a child to be educated in a typical way.
EOTAS Packages can:
EOTAS/EOTIS packages are usually funded:
Under Section 49 of the Children and Families Act 2014, families can request a personal budget when the EHCP is being prepared or reviewed. When agreed, the funding can be used to deliver the provision written into the EHCP, including specialist tutoring.
This means parents may be able to choose their own EOTAS tutor rather than relying solely on local authority or council-arranged provision.
Almost all parents we speak to tell us they prefer having a personal budget. Here’s why:
1. Control, instead of this being in the hands of the local authority
Families remain actively involved in decision-making rather than feeling removed from the process.
2. Choice of support for your child
Parents can select tutors who understand their child’s needs, personality and learning style.
3. Better engagement
As parents are able to select the best providers, many children re-engage with learning quicker than with a service that may be cheaper and selected by the local authority.
4. Flexibility
It’s easier to adapt quickly to changes in the child’s wellbeing or readiness because the parents hold the budget.
5. Quicker support
In most cases, your child can receive the specialist support that they deserve sooner as the decisions are in your hands. As a parent, you have the chance to push the provision through.
6. Empowerment
Ultimately, a personal budget helps families feel in control of their child’s education journey. This is especially important for many families who have felt let down by previous school placements or local authority decisions. A personal budget can provide reassurance, structure, and clarity.
Please click here to book a free consultation to discuss personal budgets, your requirements and to receive a personalised quote/costings which you can send to your local authority.
Please see more information about specialist tutoring to local authorities here.
Under Section 49 of the Children and Families Act 2014, families can request a personal budget when the EHCP is being prepared or reviewed. When agreed, the funding can be used to deliver the provision written into the EHCP, including specialist tutoring.
This means parents may be able to choose their own EOTAS tutor rather than relying solely on local authority or council-arranged provision.
If you are going through the first EHCP process, known also as the EHC needs assessment process, you can request EOTAS at the draft EHCP stage. If you already have an EHCP in place, you may submit a request for EOTAS at the Annual Review.
If you do not have an Annual Review taking place for some time, you may submit a request for an emergency review or a reassessment of your child’s needs for an EHCP (depending on the particular circumstances).
Ask the local authority to consider EOTAS under Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014. You should :
Case law has established that the provision stated in Section F must be specific and quantified. The provision in Section F must be described in enough detail so that parents, among others, can clearly tell what must be delivered, how often (for example in terms hours and frequency) and how it must be delivered, to provide some examples.
Vague statements and words such as “opportunities”, “benefit”, “as required” and “access” are well known to be unacceptable phrases and lead to statements of provision that are too vague to be enforceable.
When the EHCP is being prepared or reviewed, you can request a personal budget under Section 49 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Download our EOTAS and personal budget template here
Remember to include the following:
Cognition and learning including tutoring
Include:
Therapeutic
Include:
Social development
Include:
Physical
Transport
Include:
Other
Include:
Download our free EOTAS and personal budget request template here.
If a personal budget is agreed, the proposed Personal Budget should be included in Section J of the draft EHCP making it clear what the budget should cover. The budget has to be sufficient to arrange the specified provision. If the LA refuse a personal budget, the LA must provide reasons for that decision, and parents/carers/ young people can ask for reconsideration.
Internally, the local authority will confirm:
The provision should then be written into the EHCP and your child will be able to access EOTAS provision, although in some cases this may still take some time to set-up.
As a multi-award-winning company, we provide:
Specialist qualified trauma-informed teachers who prioritise developing trust and relationships. Tutors aim to re-develop your child’s love of learning with fun, child and interest-led activities, often disguising the learning in games and activities so that it doesn’t resemble school. If appropriate, the tutor may focus on life skills – taking a young person out on public transport, to visit museums or perhaps to a sporting activity.
We specialise in working with children with SEN, especially those with PDA, anxiety, autism and SEMH. As our tutors are qualified teachers, once the relationship has been established, they can create and deliver bespoke learning programmes to ensure your child is fully supported in all areas of their development.
EOTAS coordinators, please find a link to our EOTAS coordinator page here
Quotes and costings for parents to submit to their local authority for EOTAS funding
Support for parents with their EOTAS applications.
As general indication, the total amount is £80 to £90 per hour although all tutors are self-employed and therefore set their own total amounts. We work with local authorities who commission us directly, as well as families who have a personal budget from their LA. Personal budgets allow parents to personally select who they think could work best for their child and are usually the preferred option for many of our families.
Please book a call with us to discuss personal budgets and to receive a personalised quote/costings which you can send to your local authority.
Below is an example of an EOTAS package providing 12 hours of tuition from home. Most days include tuition for 2.5 hours per day. The package is tailored towards the tutor’s requirements and also covers core subjects.
EOTAS has been a breath of fresh air for Curtis, releasing many of the stresses he encountered at school, replacing them with a bespoke learning plan in the best possible learning environment.
Max is flourishing under EOTAS. It has been a highly successful transition for him, and it is expected that he will continue on a package throughout his high school years.
Compared to mainstream schools, EOTAS offers a significantly better temporary solution for Sandy. This environment provides a structured routine, enabling her to better understand her world.
The improvements in Aaron’s well-being, effort and attainment have been evident on many levels. He is in a better place emotionally, socially, environmentally and academically.