For most children and young people, education takes place in a school or college setting. However, for some children or young people, attending a school or college is not appropriate or possible due to their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), health needs, anxiety, trauma, or other exceptional circumstances. 

In these situations, provision may be arranged through Education Otherwise than in School or College (EOTISC). 

EOTISC refers to educational provision that is delivered outside a traditional school or college setting.  

For children and young people with an EHCP, EOTISC may be specified when their needs are such that education in a school or college would be inappropriate. 

Examples may include: 

  • Individual tuition 

  • Online learning programmes 

  • Therapeutic education packages 

  • Learning delivered at home 

  • Community-based provision 

  • Vocational placements 

  • Specialist therapeutic programmes 

  • A combination of educational and therapeutic support 

The key principle is that the provision must meet the child or young persons identified special educational needs and enable them to make progress. 

EOTISC can include a split of working at a school/college and a specialist package, some of the provision detailed in a plan may be able to be met in a setting and some will need a package of education to be created.  

Legal Framework 

Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014 allows a local authority to arrange special educational provision otherwise than in a school or post-16 institution. 

A local authority may do this when it is satisfied that: 

"It would be inappropriate for the special educational provision to be made in a school or post-16 institution." 

Tribunals have established that "inappropriate" means unsuitable or unbefitting for the child or young person, rather than strictly impossible. If any school or college environment would be detrimental or fail to meet their needs effectively, EOTISC can be agreed upon even if some elements could technically happen in a building.  

The SEND Code of Practice states that local authorities should consider EOTISC where education in a school or college setting would not be appropriate. 

The Code emphasises that: 

  • Decisions should be individualised 

  • The child or young person’s views should be considered 

  • Parent/carers should be fully involved 

  • Outcomes should remain ambitious 

  • Provision should be regularly reviewed 

EOTISC should never be viewed as a reduced entitlement to education. 

Useful evidence that may help requesting EOTISC  

Useful evidence may include: 

  • Educational psychology reports 

  • Medical evidence 

  • CAMHS reports 

  • Occupational Therapy reports 

  • Attendance records 

  • School reports 

  • Behaviour support records 

  • Autism assessments 

  • Evidence of failed placements 

  • Professional recommendations 

The strongest evidence often demonstrates: 

  1. Why school/college is inappropriate.

  2. What alternative arrangements are needed.

  3. How those arrangements will meet identified needs.