Education other than in school/college

EOTISC will only be considered if the LA agrees that it would be inappropriate for the provision to be delivered in nursery, school or college, and therefore it would be necessary for the LA to arrange provision to somewhere other than in an education setting.

The child or young person must be in the process of getting an EHCP or already have one in place.

You can then request an EOTISC package at the following times:

• during the initial Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
• at an Annual Review of the child or young person’s EHCP
• during an Education, Health and Care Needs Reassessment

The LA will need to consider the parental wishes, but will make their decision based on evidence that shows that any educational setting is “inappropriate”.

Facts that the LA must consider are:

• child’s background and medical history
• particular SEN
• facilities that can be provided by a school
• facilities that could be provided other than in a school
• comparative cost of the possible alternatives to the child’s educational provisions;
• child’s reaction to education provisions, either at a school or elsewhere
• parents’ wishes, and
• any other particular circumstances that apply to a particular child.

If the LA agrees that EOTISC is necessary then they will make arrangements for the provision to be delivered in one of two ways:

• The LA may arrange a package of education and support that will be delivered in a variety of community settings such as libraries or community centres. Provision may also be delivered within the home environment.
• Alternatively you may request to manage the EOTISC package through a personal budget. If the LA agrees this then parents take the responsibility of co-ordinating the package of provision themselves. You can find further information on personal budgets from AfC on the Local Offer.

Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places the LA under a duty to make sure that all the provision in the EHC Plan is in place.  Therefore, the EOTISC package detailed in Section F is legally treated exactly the same as provision which is delivered within an education setting.

The EOTISC package is reviewed through the normal Annual Review process. As a child or young person will not be attending a nursery, school or college, the Annual Review is arranged by the LA EHCP Coordinator.

You can find further information on LA’s EOTISC process on the Local Offer.

If you need further assistance applying this to your specific situation please use the orange ‘contact us’ button at the top of this page to gain information and advice from one of our advisors here at Richmond & Kingston SENDIASS.

We asked Achieving for Children the following questions we often are asked here at SENDIASS. 

Is there a template or provision map?

No. Due to the bespoke nature of these packages, AfC’s EHC Coordinator and the parent will coproduce a plan based on the child’s individual needs in their EHCP.

Is there a team of EOTISC specialists?

No. There is not a dedicated EOTISC team. The Local Authority (LA) is responsible for arranging EOTISC in an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This should be done by the EHC Coordinator in coproduction with the parent carer.

Can EOTISC be named as a “placement” in Section i of an EHCP?

No. EOTISC is a form of special education provision, so it goes in section F of an EHCP. If a person’s needs are being met with an EOTISC package, then Section I of the final EHCP is left blank.

Do we have to use the framework of suppliers from the Local Authority?

Achieving for Children have a list (also known as a framework) of organisations who provide education otherwise than at school or college. The organisations on the framework have undergone rigorous checks to ensure that effective safeguarding is in place. Wherever possible, a child’s needs will be met by an organisation on the framework. If there is an evidence-based reason for another organisation to be used, then this can go to the panel for consideration.

Who are “the panel”?

AfC have a number of decision-making panels. For children who’s needs may be met through an EOTISC package, the panel is made up of several senior managers. The participants will remain confidential as will the meeting notes due to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) although parents could submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) to view these.

What is the policy regarding transport to various provisions?

There is no legal duty in relation to providing transport (or help with transport costs) to EOTISC settings.

For children/young people attending EOTISC provisions, the school transport team will consider applications for support with transport on a case-by-case basis.

Applications for School Transport should be made via the  Online SEND Transport Application Form  To contact the School Transport team directly please use the contact details published on the SEND Transport website. Some disabled children can also access help with transport through social services.

Where can my young person access careers advice?

Achieving for Children offers a wide range of support about Post 16 education pathways.

More information can be found on the Post 16 education pathways section of the Local Offer.

Young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are offered a Next Steps careers interview with Achieving for Children’s careers advisors in year 10.  You can contact your Preparing for Adulthood EHCP Coordinator to find out more information about how to request Next Steps advice.

How do I access immunisations and health support?

Advise your GP you are not in an educational setting, and they will guide you on how to ensure you get reminders for immunisations and how to book them.

More information is available on the Elective Home Education section of the local offer