Education Otherwise Than in School/College (EOTIS)

EOTIS is considered only when:

• all efforts to support the child in a school/college have been exhausted
• the child is undergoing EHCP assessment or review
• the child has complex needs preventing attendance

Factors considered are:

• educational and medical needs
• suitability and cost of alternatives
• parental engagement
• child’s response to previous education settings

Requests for EOTIS must be supported by:

• professional evidence
• clear rationale for why school/college is inappropriate
• details of any personal budget requests

All cases are reviewed by the SEND Placement Panel for formal approval.

If EOTIS is agreed:

• it is recorded in Section F of the EHCP
• any Personal Budget is recorded in Section J

Parents may:

• request EOTIS via EHCP response or review
• be asked to clarify if they intend to Electively Home Educate (EHE)

If EHE is chosen, parents assume full responsibility for education and funding. If EOTIS is approved, WNC remains responsible for provision and funding.

There is no fixed legal definition of “full-time” education and hours required will vary between individuals dependent on needs, but generally:

• 18 hours per week for ages 5 to 16
• 16 hours per week for ages 16 to 19

These hours do not include travel time. Reduced hours may be appropriate temporarily due to health or other needs.

EOTIS packages are reviewed:

• termly, with one review being the Annual EHCP Review
• with input from child/young person, parents/carers, and professionals
• to assess progress and readiness for reintegration

Reviews ensure provision remains appropriate and aligned with EHCP outcomes.

A personal budget for education is an allocated amount of money from a child's Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan that allows families to have more control over how services and support are purchased. It is available for children with EHC plans to fund the special educational provision specified in Section F of the plan.

The budget can be delivered as a direct payment, where the money is given to the parent or young person to manage, or funds can be held by the local authority, school, or another provider to arrange the services on the family's behalf.

How the Direct Payment process works

Step 1: Requesting a Personal Budget

Your child’s caseworker will submit a request for funding. This must be approved by a funding panel.

Step 2: Choosing How You Receive the Money

Once funding is approved, your caseworker will talk to you about how you’d like to receive the money.

Option A: Prepayment Card

You’ll need to meet with your caseworker in person to confirm your identity.

You’ll need to show:

• photo ID (such as a driving licence, passport, or EU National ID card)
• proof of address (such as a council tax letter or benefits statement)

Your caseworker will complete a form confirming these checks and send it to the Direct Payments team.

Option B: Bank Transfer

If you prefer the money to be sent to a bank account:

• for larger amounts, you’ll need to open a dedicated bank account
• for small one-off payments, your existing account is fine

Step 3: Request Sent to Direct Payments

The Education Commissioning Team will send the funding request to the Direct Payments team within 3 working days of approval.

Step 4: Confirmation Letter

You’ll receive a letter from the Education Commissioning Team explaining:

• what support has been agreed
• how much funding you’ll receive

Step 5: Contract Sent

The Direct Payments team will send you a contract within 10 working days of receiving the request.

Step 6: Sign and return the contract

You’ll need to sign the contract and return it to the Direct Payments team.

Step 7: Funds released

Once the signed contract is received, the Direct Payments team will release the funds to your prepayment card or bank account within 10 working days.

Step 8: Keeping records

You’ll need to keep records to show how the money is spent.

This may include:

• invoices
• receipts
• bank statements

Your Responsibilities as a Parent

If you choose to manage any part of your child’s personal budget:

• you are responsible for arranging the support
• you must ensure the support is safe, suitable, and meets your child’s needs

Important notes

The full process can take up to 23 days.

To avoid delays, it’s best to request all funding in one application. You will need to sign a new contract each year if you continue with direct payments.

If your bank account details change, you must inform the Direct Payments team immediately.