How it works
EOTAS Personal Budget
An EOTAS Personal Budget puts parents in control of their child’s education, allowing you to choose the tutors that are best for your child.
EOTAS/EOTIS Personal Budgets for Tutoring
What is EOTAS?
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:
- Appropriate to age, ability, aptitude and SEN
- Efficient
- Full time
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:
- School attendance is not possible
- There has been a breakdown in placement
- The child experiences severe anxiety or trauma
- The child requires highly individualised teaching
- Specialist provision cannot be delivered in a mainstream or specialist school
When requesting EOTAS, you should:
- Clearly link the identified need (section B) to the provision (section F), and then to the measurable outcome (Section E, if applicable)
- Provide evidence that provision is necessary, suitable and costed (template below)
- Demonstrate how the suggested package represents efficient use of public funds, e.g. comparison of costings to setting if appropriate
- Provide a clear explanation about why school-based (mainstream/special) provision cannot currently meet needs
- Provide SMART intended outcomes
For many children, one-to-one specialist tutoring becomes the core educational provision and an absolute lifeline.
Read more about EOTAS or EOTIS packages.
What is a Personal Budget for EOTAS?
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.
Book a Consultation to discuss your personal budget
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.
The Benefits of a Personal Budget
Almost all parents we speak to tell us they prefer having a personal budget.
Here’s why:
Choice
Parents can select tutors who understand their child’s needs, personality and learning style.
Control
Families remain actively involved in decision-making rather than feeling removed from the process.
Flexibility
Education can adapt quickly to changes in the child’s well-being or readiness.
Individualisation
Sessions can be fully tailored, including pace, environment, teaching style, and content.
Better Engagement
Children often re-engage with learning when it is delivered in a calm, supportive, one-to-one setting.
Transparency
Parents can clearly see how funding is being used.
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.
Book your FREE call with Kerri to discuss EOTAS
SENsational Tutors can provide bespoke EOTAS packages and support. Book your call with our EOTAS expert, Kerri, to find out more.
What Parents Should Know: The Admin Involved
A personal budget does involve some additional administration.
Parents may need to:
- Select and coordinate providers
- Ensure provision matches the EHCP
- Keep simple records of sessions
- Communicate with the local authority if required
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.
How to Request an EOTAS Personal Budget
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.
Step 4
Agree the Education Plan
The local authority will confirm funding level, the number of tutoring hours and the monitoring arrangements. Provision should then be written into the EHCP.
Download our free EOTAS personal budget template
Get a little extra support with managing your EOTAS Personal Budget with our free template.
Why Families Choose SENsational Tutors for EOTAS
Families working with SENsational Tutors benefit from:
- Specialist SEND experience
- Personalised tutoring programmes
- Flexible delivery models
- EHCP-aligned learning outcomes
- A calm, supportive approach
- Experience working within EOTAS frameworks
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.
Book your FREE call with Kerri to discuss EOTAS
SENsational Tutors can provide bespoke EOTAS packages and support. Book your call with our EOTAS expert, Kerri, to find out more.
Case studies
Return to school for a student with complex needs
Complex & MedicalPDAAutismDyslexiaAnxietyDyspraxia/DCDDyscalculiaSEMH/EBSA
Book a FREE call with Kerri to discuss EOTAS
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.
Kerri
EOTAS expert
