EOTAS stands for Education Otherwise Than At School.
It 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’ 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.
READ MORE ABOUT EOTAS OR EOTIS PACKAGES.
When requesting EOTAS, you should:
A personal budget allows parents to manage part of their child’s EHCP funding directly.
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 council-arranged provision.
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 through a personal budget. At SENsational Tutors, we provide specialist tutoring that can form part of an EOTAS education package.
Click here for costs of a tutor or EOTAS coordinator.
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.
Almost all parents we speak to tell us they prefer having a personal budget. Here’s why:
1. Choice
Parents can select tutors who understand their child’s needs, personality and learning style.
2. Control
Families remain actively involved in decision-making rather than feeling removed from the process.
3. Flexibility
Education can adapt quickly to changes in the child’s well-being or readiness.
4. Individualisation
Sessions can be fully tailored, including pace, environment, teaching style, and content.
5. Better Engagement
Children often re-engage with learning when it is delivered in a calm, supportive, one-to-one setting.
6. Transparency
Parents can clearly see how funding is being used.
7. Empowerment
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.
A personal budget does involve some additional administration.
Parents may need to:
However, many families feel this small amount of extra organisation is worth it because of the independence and choice it provides.
At SENsational Tutors, we work closely with families to keep the process clear, structured, and manageable.
Step 1: Ensure Your Child Has an EHCP
If your child does not have one, you can request an EHC needs assessment.
Step 2: Request EOTAS or EOTIS Provision
Ask the local authority to consider EOTAS under Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Step 3: Request a Personal Budget
When the EHCP is being prepared or reviewed, request a personal budget under Section 49 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Download our free EOTAS personal budget templates here.
Step 4: Agree the Education Plan
The local authority will confirm:
Provision should then be written into the EHCP.
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.
Families working with SENsational Tutors benefit from:
We understand that every child’s situation is unique. Our role is to provide high-quality education that fits the child, not the other way around.
If you are exploring an EOTAS personal budget for your child, we are happy to talk through how our tutoring services can support your child’s EHCP outcomes. You can also find out more information about EOTAS packages here.
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.