Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) Explained

Quick Summary: Education Otherwise Than At School

Education Otherwise Than At School, usually shortened to EOTAS, is special educational provision arranged outside a school or college.
Under the current system, EOTAS is normally set out in an Education, Health and Care Plan.
A local authority may arrange EOTAS where it is satisfied that it would be inappropriate for the required provision to be made in a school or post-16 institution.
EOTAS is not the same as elective home education, ordinary home tuition or alternative provision.
An EOTAS package may include tuition, therapy, online learning, community-based provision or support from several different providers.
The government opened an EOTAS reform consultation in July 2026, but no legal change has yet been made.

Education Otherwise Than At School can provide a tailored package of education and special educational provision for a child or young person whose needs cannot appropriately be met within a school or college setting.

The term is often shortened to EOTAS. Local authorities sometimes use similar terms such as Education Otherwise Than In School, or EOTIS, but local wording and processes can vary.

This guide explains what EOTAS means under the current SEND system in England, how it relates to an EHCP, how it differs from home education and alternative provision, and what the government’s 2026 reform consultation proposes.

Important: The July 2026 EOTAS consultation contains proposals, not confirmed changes to SEND law. Current EHCP duties, annual review arrangements, complaint routes and appeal rights continue to apply.

What Is Education Otherwise Than At School?

EOTAS is an arrangement where a local authority secures a child or young person’s special educational provision somewhere other than a school or further education college.

Provision might take place:

at home;
in a community venue;
through an online education provider;
at a therapy or specialist centre;
through individual tuition;
across several different locations;
through a combination of education, therapy and preparation for adulthood.

EOTAS is not intended simply as a way of providing education at home because a suitable school place has not yet been found. The central legal question is whether it would be inappropriate for the special educational provision required by the child or young person to be made in a school or post-16 institution.

The individual circumstances, needs, evidence and available provision must be considered.

What Is the Legal Basis for EOTAS?

The main legal basis for EOTAS is section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

Section 61 allows a local authority to arrange special educational provision somewhere other than a school or post-16 institution where the authority is satisfied that it would be inappropriate for the provision to be made in one of those settings.

Where EOTAS is agreed through an EHCP, the provision required by the child or young person should be clearly described in the plan. The local authority remains responsible for securing the special educational provision specified in Section F of the EHCP.

Key point: The question is not simply whether attending school is currently difficult. The local authority must consider whether it would be inappropriate for the required special educational provision to be made in a school or post-16 institution.

Does a Child Need an EHCP for EOTAS?

Formal EOTAS under section 61 is normally considered as part of an Education, Health and Care Plan.

An EHCP should identify:

the child or young person’s special educational needs;
the outcomes being worked towards;
the special educational provision required;
any health or social care provision included in the plan;
how the provision will be arranged and reviewed.

Where EOTAS is agreed, Section F should describe the provision clearly and specifically. Broad wording such as “access to tuition” or “therapy as required” may make it difficult to establish exactly what must be delivered.

The plan may need to specify:

the type of tuition or teaching;
the number and length of sessions;
staffing or professional qualifications;
therapy provision;
online or community-based learning;
equipment and resources;
how progress will be monitored;
preparation for adulthood where relevant.

How Is EOTAS Different From Elective Home Education?

EOTAS and elective home education are legally and practically different.

EOTAS	Elective Home Education
Arranged or secured by the local authority through the SEND framework	Chosen and arranged by the parent
Normally forms part of an EHCP	Does not automatically require an EHCP
The local authority remains responsible for securing specified EHCP provision	The parent normally takes responsibility for arranging a suitable education
May involve tutors, therapists and several commissioned providers	The parent decides how education will be provided
Is based on the conclusion that provision in a school or post-16 institution would be inappropriate	Is based on a parental decision to educate outside school

Parents should be cautious if they are encouraged to deregister a child and home educate when they are actually asking the local authority to consider EOTAS.

Deregistering a child for elective home education can change who is responsible for arranging and funding education. Families may wish to seek independent SEND advice before making that decision.

How Is EOTAS Different From Alternative Provision?

EOTAS is also different from alternative provision, although some services may look similar in practice.

Alternative provision may be arranged for children who:

have been excluded from school;
cannot attend because of illness or other reasons;
need short-term education outside their usual setting;
need additional behavioural or engagement support.

EOTAS is specifically concerned with special educational provision outside a school or college where provision within an educational institution would be inappropriate.

A child receiving alternative provision may remain registered at a school. A child with an agreed EOTAS arrangement may instead receive the special educational provision in their EHCP through a package delivered outside school.

Do not rely on the label alone. Families should ask which legal route is being used, who is responsible for arranging the education, whether the child remains on a school roll and whether the provision is specified in an EHCP.

When Might EOTAS Be Considered?

EOTAS may be considered where evidence shows that a child or young person’s needs cannot appropriately be met in a school or college setting.

Possible circumstances may include:

significant sensory, communication or emotional needs that cannot be safely supported in a setting;
repeated placement breakdown despite appropriate support and adjustments;
complex health or mental health needs;
a need for a highly individualised programme delivered by several professionals;
evidence that attending an educational institution would prevent the child from accessing suitable education;
circumstances where available settings cannot appropriately deliver the provision required.

EOTAS is not automatically agreed because:

a child is currently absent from school;
a parent prefers education at home;
the current placement has become difficult;
the local authority has not yet found a suitable placement;
the child is waiting for an assessment or diagnosis.

The decision should be based on the child or young person’s individual needs and evidence.

What Evidence May Support an EOTAS Request?

There is no single piece of evidence that guarantees EOTAS. Evidence should help explain why the required provision cannot appropriately be made in a school or post-16 institution.

Relevant evidence may include:

educational psychologist advice;
medical or mental health evidence;
occupational therapy reports;
speech and language therapy reports;
records of attendance and reduced timetables;
school support plans and graduated approach records;
evidence of reasonable adjustments already attempted;
reports explaining why previous placements or reintegration attempts were unsuccessful;
the child or young person’s views;
parent or carer evidence;
details of the proposed provision package.

Evidence is generally more useful when it explains:

the child’s needs;
what support has already been tried;
why that support was not sufficient;
what happens when the child attends or attempts to attend a setting;
what provision is required instead;
how the proposed package would meet identified outcomes.

How Can Parents Ask for EOTAS?

Parents may raise EOTAS during:

an EHC needs assessment;
the drafting of a new EHCP;
an annual review;
an emergency or early review;
a reassessment of needs;
discussions following placement breakdown.

A written request should explain:

why education within a school or post-16 institution is considered inappropriate;
what evidence supports that view;
what provision is required;
how the provision could be delivered;
what outcomes the proposed package would support.

Parents do not necessarily need to identify every provider before asking for EOTAS. However, a clear proposed package can help the local authority understand what is being requested and how the child’s needs could be met.

Decision point: Ask the local authority to confirm in writing whether it is considering EOTAS under section 61, alternative provision, education for health needs or another temporary arrangement. Similar-looking packages can involve different legal duties.

What Might an EOTAS Package Include?

An EOTAS package should be based on the provision required by the individual child or young person. It might include:

specialist teaching or individual tuition;
speech and language therapy;
occupational therapy;
psychological or therapeutic support;
mentoring;
online learning;
community-based education;
life skills and independence training;
supported work experience;
preparation for adulthood;
specialist equipment or resources;
support to access examinations or qualifications.

Not every EOTAS package will include all of these elements. Provision should be linked to the needs and outcomes identified in the EHCP.

The package should also make clear:

who will deliver each element;
where it will take place;
how frequently it will be delivered;
who will coordinate the package;
how attendance and progress will be monitored;
how safeguarding responsibilities will be managed;
how the arrangement will be reviewed.

Who Pays for EOTAS?

Where the local authority has agreed EOTAS and the provision is specified in Section F of an EHCP, the local authority is responsible for securing that special educational provision.

Provision may be:

commissioned directly by the local authority;
delivered by contracted providers;
arranged through a personal budget or direct payment where agreed;
provided through a combination of arrangements.

Parents should not assume that any privately arranged tuition or therapy will automatically be reimbursed.

Before committing to costs, ask the local authority to confirm:

which provision it has agreed to fund;
whether a provider must meet particular requirements;
how invoices or direct payments will be handled;
whether equipment, examinations or travel are included;
what approval is needed before costs are incurred.

Can EOTAS Include Therapy?

Yes, an EOTAS package may include therapy where the provision is required to educate or train the child or young person and is specified as special educational provision in the EHCP.

Examples may include:

speech and language therapy;
occupational therapy;
support with communication or sensory regulation;
therapeutic input linked to educational access and outcomes.

The wording and location of provision within the EHCP matters. Provision in Section F carries a specific duty on the local authority to secure it.

What Happens at an EOTAS Annual Review?

An EHCP containing an EOTAS arrangement should still be reviewed through the statutory annual review process.

The review should consider:

whether the EHCP remains necessary;
whether the child or young person’s needs have changed;
whether the current provision is being delivered;
progress towards outcomes;
whether the package remains suitable;
whether any provision needs to be increased, reduced or changed;
the child or young person’s views and aspirations;
preparation for adulthood where relevant;
whether education in a setting is now appropriate.

An annual review should not be treated as an automatic route back into school. Any proposed change should be based on current needs, evidence and the suitability of the proposed arrangements.

After the review, the local authority must decide whether to:

maintain the EHCP unchanged;
amend the EHCP;
cease to maintain the EHCP.

Relevant appeal rights may arise once the local authority issues a formal decision.

What if EOTAS Provision Is Not Being Delivered?

If provision specified in Section F of an EHCP is not being delivered, parents can raise the issue with the local authority in writing.

Useful steps include:

List the provision specified in the EHCP.
Record what has and has not been delivered.
Include dates, cancelled sessions and missed hours.
Ask the local authority how and when the missing provision will be secured.
Request an early annual review if the package is no longer workable.
Use the local authority complaints process where necessary.
Seek independent SEND or legal advice if the problem continues.

Keep copies of emails, timetables, invoices, provider messages and records of missed provision.

Can Parents Appeal an EOTAS Decision?

Depending on the decision made, parents or young people may be able to appeal parts of an EHCP to the SEND Tribunal.

This can include disputes about:

the description of special educational needs;
the special educational provision specified in the plan;
the educational placement or lack of a named institution;
a refusal to issue an EHCP;
a refusal to amend an EHCP following review or reassessment;
a decision to cease the EHCP.

Whether a particular EOTAS dispute can be addressed through an appeal will depend on the formal decision and the wording of the EHCP.

Families may also use complaint or judicial review routes in some circumstances, particularly where agreed provision is not being secured. Legal advice may be needed because the correct route depends on the nature of the dispute.

Read our SEND Rights and Appeals Explained guide for an overview of complaints and appeal routes.

What Are the Government’s 2026 EOTAS Reform Proposals?

In July 2026, the Department for Education opened a consultation on the future of EOTAS and related forms of education outside school.

The consultation considers:

how EOTAS provision could be made safer and more consistent;
whether national quality standards should apply;
how local authorities should oversee and quality-assure provision;
how responsibilities should be divided between local authorities, schools, colleges and providers;
how families could raise concerns and challenge decisions;
how outcomes and progress should be monitored;
how children unable to attend because of health needs should be supported;
how accredited online alternative provision should be used;
how supported reintegration could work where appropriate.

A named school or college

One proposal is that every child or young person receiving EOTAS would be connected to, or placed on the roll of, a named school or further education college.

Under the proposal, that setting could have responsibility for managing the EOTAS arrangement, working with the family and coordinating with other services.

The government says this would generally be a specialist setting and would not normally be a setting associated with an earlier placement breakdown.

Quality standards and oversight

The consultation asks whether providers delivering EOTAS should meet national quality standards and how those standards should be checked.

It also considers a clearer local authority role in:

deciding when EOTAS is required;
monitoring the quality of provision;
ensuring packages are regularly reviewed;
supporting progress and wellbeing.

Links with Specialist Provision Packages

The consultation indicates that future EOTAS arrangements may interact with proposed Specialist Provision Packages.

These packages are part of the wider SEND reform proposals and are not yet part of the current legal system.

Read our Specialist Provision Packages Explained guide for further information.

Children already receiving EOTAS

The government proposes that children and young people of secondary-school age and above who already receive EOTAS when a new system begins would be allowed to continue with their existing arrangements.

They could be offered voluntary support to move into a school or college where they wanted to do so.

For younger children, the consultation proposes a supported process to reconsider arrangements at the end of primary school. Possible outcomes could include continuing EOTAS through a future specialist provision package or using a supported transition arrangement.

Current position

No decision has yet been made on these proposals.
The consultation does not change existing EHCPs.
Current EOTAS arrangements remain in force.
Current annual review and appeal routes continue.
Any legislative change would require parliamentary approval.
The government says changes would not take effect before September 2030.

What Should Parents Do During the Consultation?

Families do not need to wait for reform before using current SEND routes.

Parents can continue to:

ask for an EHC needs assessment;
request an annual or early review;
ask for Section F provision to be clearly specified;
record provision that is not being delivered;
use complaints and appeal routes where relevant;
seek independent advice;
respond to the government consultation.

The consultation is open until 18 September 2026.

Read and respond to the official EOTAS consultation.

Practical EOTAS Checklist for Parents

Check whether the arrangement is formally recorded in the EHCP.
Check that Section F clearly specifies each element of provision.
Ask who is responsible for coordinating the package.
Keep a current timetable of tuition, therapy and other provision.
Record cancelled or missed sessions.
Ask how progress and outcomes will be monitored.
Confirm safeguarding and provider-check arrangements.
Check how examinations, qualifications and preparation for adulthood will be supported.
Ask when the package will next be reviewed.
Keep the child’s views central to reviews and future planning.

Does SEND Reform Affect EOTAS?

At present, no. Current SEND reform proposals do not remove or replace the legal framework for Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS).

EOTAS remains available where a child or young person cannot reasonably receive suitable education in a school, and it continues to be considered under the existing legal framework, including Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

Key point
Although the government is introducing wider SEND reforms, including initiatives such as Experts at Hand, proposed Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and greater support within mainstream education, these proposals do not remove the current legal duty to consider EOTAS where it is necessary.

For most children, the aim of current SEND reforms is to improve support within mainstream or specialist schools before education outside school is considered. However, where school attendance is not suitable and an EHCP identifies that education should be delivered otherwise than at school, EOTAS remains an available option under current law.

Families should continue following existing EHCP, annual review and appeal processes where EOTAS is being considered, as the legal tests have not changed.

If future legislation changes the SEND system, we will update this guide. For now, families should continue using existing EOTAS, EHCP and appeal processes.

Frequently Asked Questions About EOTAS

Is EOTAS the same as home schooling?

No. EOTAS is arranged or secured by a local authority through the SEND framework, normally as part of an EHCP. Elective home education is a parental decision, and the parent normally takes responsibility for arranging a suitable education.

Does a child need an EHCP for EOTAS?

Formal EOTAS under section 61 is normally considered through an EHCP. The plan should describe the child’s needs, outcomes and the special educational provision that must be delivered outside a school or post-16 institution.

Who pays for EOTAS provision?

Where EOTAS has been agreed and provision is specified in Section F of an EHCP, the local authority is responsible for securing that provision. Families should obtain written agreement before arranging services privately and expecting reimbursement.

Can EOTAS include therapy?

Yes. An EOTAS package may include therapies such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy where they are required to educate or train the child or young person and are specified in the EHCP.

Is EOTAS the same as alternative provision?

No. Alternative provision may be arranged because of exclusion, illness or other barriers to attendance. EOTAS is special educational provision outside a school or college because provision in an educational institution would be inappropriate for the child or young person.

Can a local authority require a child receiving EOTAS to return to school?

The local authority can review whether an EOTAS arrangement remains appropriate, but any change should be based on the child’s current needs and evidence. Where the EHCP is amended, relevant appeal rights may arise.

Does EOTAS continue after age 16?

It can. An EHCP can continue for an eligible young person beyond compulsory school age and up to age 25 where the plan remains necessary. Provision should support education, training and preparation for adulthood.

Will the 2026 SEND reforms end existing EOTAS packages?

No immediate change has been made. The government’s consultation proposes transitional protection for many older children and young people already receiving EOTAS. Any changes would require parliamentary approval and would not begin before September 2030.

What is the proposed named school or college?

The consultation proposes that a child or young person receiving EOTAS could be connected to a named school or further education college responsible for helping manage and oversee the arrangement. This is a proposal and is not currently a legal requirement.

Can parents appeal an EOTAS decision?

Depending on the formal decision, parents or young people may be able to appeal the needs, provision or placement sections of an EHCP. Complaint or other legal routes may apply where agreed provision is not being delivered.

What happens at an EOTAS annual review?

The review should consider the child’s needs, progress, outcomes, delivery of provision and whether the EOTAS package remains suitable. It should not assume that a return to school is appropriate without considering current evidence and individual circumstances.

Find EOTAS and EHCP Support

Families may benefit from independent advice when requesting EOTAS, reviewing an EHCP, challenging unclear provision or addressing support that has not been delivered.

Browse EHCP Support and Advocacy Services.

Official Sources

Independent information note: Find Support UK is an independent directory and information resource. This guide provides general information and does not provide legal advice. SEND arrangements can depend on individual circumstances, evidence and formal decisions.