Supporting Students Who Learn Best Outside of School
Not every student can thrive in a traditional classroom. For some, the best way to learn is through an EOTAS package (Education Otherwise Than at School), with support that is flexible, nurturing, and completely tailored to their needs.
At SEND Tutoring, we provide EOTAS tuition packages designed in partnership with families and Local Authorities as part of their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Our tutors are specialists in ADHD, PDA, autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other SEND needs, ensuring every child receives education that works for them.
What is an EOTAS Package?
EOTAS stands for Education Otherwise Than at School and applies to situations where a child or young person cannot attend a mainstream or special school. To be eligible for EOTAS, a child must have (or be in assessment for) an EHCP. EOTAS packages are usually a designated part of their EHCP to ensure their learning is delivered via an alternative route that meets their needs.
EOTAS Teaching Locations
Education Otherwise Than at School isn’t limited to homeschooling. A wide range of locations are ideal for EOTAS tutoring, including:
- At home
- The library
- A community hub
- Or in any environment that feels comfortable and secure for the student.
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, Local Authorities are legally required to make sure that every child has access to suitable education.
When no suitable school-based option exists, they can arrange and fund an EOTAS package.
👉Being out of school does not mean a child loses their right to education.
Every young person deserves high-quality learning opportunities and the chance to gain the skills and confidence they need for the future.
At SEND Tutoring, we provide EOTAS tutoring, guidance, and professional insight for families choosing this path.
“SEND Tutoring have been incredible in helping us navigate our journey with our son. They’ve listened to the issues we have been having and have been amazing at directing us to the right contacts to seek the advice we need. As a parent, this journey can be very confusing and hard to understand where to begin. Ione and her contacts have been very supportive and made this process far less daunting, so that we have a clear direction.”
How Does EOTAS Tutoring Work?
Step 1: Identifying the Need
If a child is unable to attend school due to anxiety, medical needs, trauma, or because no suitable placement is available, parents (or sometimes the school) can raise concerns with the Local Authority.
Step 2: Making the Request
Parents can formally request that EOTAS be written into their child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This means the Local Authority would be responsible for arranging and funding the provision.
Step 3: Local Authority Review
The Local Authority will consider whether school-based education can meet the child’s needs. If not, they may agree that education outside of school is the best option.
Step 4: Building the Case
Sometimes families need to provide additional evidence from medical professionals, therapists, or educational psychologists to demonstrate why a school placement is unsuitable.
Step 5: Appeals and Tribunals (if needed)
If the Local Authority refuses, parents can challenge the decision. This may involve appeals, legal representation, or tribunal hearings. While this can be a stressful stage, many families do succeed with the right support.
Step 6: Provision Begins
Once agreed, the EOTAS package is implemented. This may include:
- 1:1 tuition at home or in the community
- Specialist teaching for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or PDA
- Therapies such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy
- Emotional well-being and mentoring support
What are the Challenges with EOTAS?
Securing an EOTAS package can be a lengthy and sometimes difficult process. For parents, it often feels overwhelming, particularly when faced with forms, assessments, and lengthy wait times for decisions.
In many cases, families need to push hard with the Local Authority, and sometimes the process leads to appeals or tribunal hearings. Sadly, this can leave children without consistent education for weeks or even months.
Because the system is so complex, many families opt for additional support.
Working with SEND advocates, educational consultants, or specialist legal professionals can make the process less stressful and help ensure your child receives the education they are entitled to.
At SEND Tutoring, we’re here to guide you through each step and provide practical advice so your child’s learning is never left behind.
📌 Let’s discuss how we can help you – Speak to an EOTAS specialist today or check out our useful links page for additional resources and SEND connections.
Who Can Access EOTAS Teaching?
EOTAS may be the right option for your child if they:
- Have ADHD and find it challenging to manage focus, behaviour, or learning in the classroom
- Are autistic and need a structured, low-stress environment outside of school
- Live with anxiety, trauma, or school refusal that makes attendance impossible
- Show PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profiles and cannot cope in traditional school settings
- Have other SEND needs or specific conditions, such as dyspraxia, epilepsy, or cerebral palsy, which make classroom learning unsuitable.
EOTAS Homeschooling vs Home Education
📌 EOTAS is NOT the same as Home Education — the Local Authority (LA) funds and manages provision, not the parent.
Interested in home education for special educational needs? Learn more here!
| Feature | Home Education | EOTAS (with EHCP) |
|---|---|---|
| Funded by LA | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Parent designs provision | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Tailored to needs | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Suitable for SEND | ✅ Often | ✅ Yes |
| Support via EHCP | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Legal responsibility | Parent | Local Authority |
| Tutor/therapy support | Optional | Specified in EHCP |
| Personal budget | Possible with EHCP | Included |
How SEND Tutoring Can Help
We support families at all stages of the journey — whether you’re:
- Starting to homeschool
- Applying for or managing an EHCP
- Requesting EOTAS
- Looking for qualified SEND tutors
- Needing advice on personal budgets or provision planning
Our services include:
- 1:1 SEND tutoring tailored to your child’s needs
- Guidance through EHCP/EOTAS applications
- Mentoring and confidence-building for learners
- Education plans for home-educated students
- Liaison with Local Authorities on your behalf
Why Choose SEND Tutoring?
Choosing the right support for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Families choose us because:
- We have experience guiding families through the application process and helping parents across the UK secure the proper EOTAS support for their child.
- We believe education is about more than academic progress. What sets us apart is the way we build safe, supportive spaces where trust comes first and learning is fun and engaging.
- Our tutors serve as both mentors and teachers, encouraging independence and designing well-rounded learning experiences that reflect each young person’s passions and strengths. By focusing on each child’s interests and reducing the pressures of a classroom, we help ease anxiety and nurture confidence.
- Each tutor is carefully chosen for their skills and experience in special educational needs tutoring. Whether you’re looking for a tutor for ADHD, a dyscalculia maths tutor, a tutor for autism, or guidance in cerebral palsy schooling, we’ll match your child with a trusted professional who understands their needs.
No two children learn in the same way. That’s why our packages are flexible: combining academic tuition, therapies, mentoring, and life skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about EOTAS
How is EOTAS different from home education?
Elective Home Education (EHE) is chosen and funded by parents.
With EOTAS, the Local Authority funds the provision because no school can meet the child’s needs.
That means families don’t have to cover the costs of tutors for ADHD, autism tuition, dyslexia support, or therapies themselves.
📌 EOTAS is legally part of the EHCP, while home education is a parental choice.
Can I apply for EOTAS if my child can’t manage school?
Yes, but only through the EHCP process. It must be clearly evidenced that no school can meet their needs.
Do I need to try a school placement before asking for EOTAS?
Not always. If it’s clear that no mainstream or specialist school can meet your child’s needs, you can apply for EOTAS through the EHCP process without trialling a school.
For some families, EOTAS begins after home education; for others, it follows a challenging school experience.
👉 The key is to show evidence that school does not work for your child.
How can I get a personal budget for EOTAS?
A personal budget is funding that can be allocated to families to arrange provision in Section F of the EHCP.
You can request one, but it is not guaranteed; the Local Authority may refuse.
📌 If approved, the budget will be included in Section J of the EHCP and can cover tutors or therapies that meet your child’s needs.
How do I request EOTAS, and what should go into my package?
You can request EOTAS during the EHCP drafting stage (also known as the EHC needs assessment process) or at an Annual Review.
If you cannot wait until your next review, you may ask for an emergency review or reassessment.
The most important part is Section F of the EHCP. It must be:
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Clear, specific, and detailed
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Linked to each need set out in Section B
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Enforceable (with details such as how many hours, how often, and by whom)
How can I find my Local Authority’s EOTAS policy?
Every Local Authority must publish a “local offer” on their website, which should include information about EOTAS.
📌 Families can also request a copy of the written policy directly from their SEN team.
What should I think about when building an EOTAS package?
Start with professional reports, such as from:
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Educational Psychologists
-
Speech and Language Therapists
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Occupational Therapists
Each need in Section B of the EHCP should correspond to a specific provision in Section F.
For example:
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A child with dyslexia may need structured literacy programmes, multi-sensory methods, and sessions with a specialist dyslexia tutor.
-
A child with autism may benefit from a calm learning environment, therapy, and tailored one-to-one tuition.
-
A child with ADHD may require flexible scheduling, strategies for maintaining focus, and consistent one-on-one support to manage their condition effectively.
A strong EOTAS package often blends tuition, therapies, online learning, social opportunities, and assistive technology.
What makes a school setting “unsuitable”?
It depends on your child’s needs. Factors considered include:
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Educational and medical history
-
SEND profile
-
What schools can reasonably provide
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Whether the provision could be better delivered at home
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Comparative costs
📌 If mainstream or specialist schools cannot provide what’s needed, EOTAS may be lawful and appropriate.
How should I present evidence for the Tribunal when asking for EOTAS?
A straightforward way is to create a table showing:
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Your child’s needs
-
Provision required
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Why can it not be delivered in school
-
Costs/quotes for each item (e.g., private ADHD tutor, dyslexia support, autism-specific provision)
👉 This format makes it easier for the Tribunal to understand and support your case.
How many hours or weeks of EOTAS can my child receive?
Under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, children are entitled to receive “suitable” education. Usually this is full-time, but for some children, a part-time programme is appropriate (e.g., due to medical needs or high anxiety).
📌 The number of hours depends on your child’s age, ability, and SEND profile.
How long does it usually take to secure EOTAS?
-
Initial EHCP requests: must be completed within 20 weeks.
-
Annual Reviews with changes: should be finalised within 12 weeks.
⚠️ Delays are common, so persistence and evidence are key.
Can I start with fewer hours and increase later?
Yes. Many families begin with a reduced timetable and build up to full-time (around 25 hours per week).
📌 Section F should specify how and when hours will increase, so there is a legal duty to deliver them.
What professional reports are needed for EOTAS?
There is no fixed list, but strong evidence matters.
Often, the most important reports are from:
-
Educational Psychologists
-
Speech and Language Therapists
-
Occupational Therapists
-
Medical professionals (where relevant)
What subjects can be taught under EOTAS?
EOTAS can be flexible and creative. Packages may include:
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Core subjects (English, maths, science)
-
Therapies (SALT, OT, wellbeing)
-
Life skills, vocational training, or specialist tuition
Does EOTAS include therapies as well as teaching?
Yes. Many children receive therapies as part of their package, such as:
-
Occupational Therapy
-
Speech and Language Therapy
-
Emotional well-being or mental health support
👉 For children with cerebral palsy, dyspraxia, epilepsy, or trauma-related anxiety, therapies can be as vital as academic tuition.
Can EOTAS be delivered online?
Absolutely. Online tuition can work well for some children
📌 Many families request online ADHD tutoring or online dyslexia tuition as part of their package.
Who delivers the teaching in an EOTAS package?
Usually, tutors and professionals with experience in special educational needs are chosen.
Families often seek specialists in dyslexia, autism, ADHD, or other SEND areas.
What happens if the Local Authority refuses EOTAS?
Parents can:
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Ask for mediation
-
Appeal to a Tribunal
-
Seek legal advice or advocacy support
📌 Many families are successful when they can show clear evidence that no school placement is suitable.
What makes EOTAS different from flexi-schooling?
Flexi-schooling means spending part of the week in school and part at home.
📌 EOTAS usually replaces school entirely and is fully funded by the Local Authority.
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Can I buy equipment, like sensory items, with the EOTAS budget?
Yes, but only if:
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Section F specifies the equipment as part of the provision, and
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Section J allows the personal budget to fund it
This may include sensory chairs, assistive technology, or learning software.
Will my child still be able to sit exams with EOTAS?
Yes. Children on EOTAS packages can take GCSEs, Functional Skills, or alternative qualifications.
📌 Support from tutors (e.g., a private dyslexia tutor or maths tutor for dyscalculia) can help them achieve recognised outcomes.
What happens after my child starts an EOTAS package?
EHCPs must be reviewed at least once a year, but some families request more frequent reviews.
Reviews include:
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Parents or carers
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The young person (where appropriate)
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SEN officers
-
Health professionals
-
Other relevant people
Can EOTAS be a short-term solution?
Yes. Some children receive EOTAS temporarily (e.g., while waiting for a school place).
👉 For others, it becomes long-term when no school can meet their needs.
Do local authorities ask for progress reports?
Yes. Evidence is required to show that EOTAS is meeting needs.
📌 Reports from tutors and therapists are usually reviewed during Annual Reviews.
What can happen after the first Annual Review?
After the review, the LA must decide whether to:
-
continue the EHCP
-
amend it
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or cease it
Parents always have the right to appeal.
Still unsure if EOTAS is right for your child?
SEND Tutoring is here to help, let’s explore the best options for your family.
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