What is EOTISC?
EOTISC stands for Education Otherwise Than in School or College. It’s a special type of education provided for children and young people who cannot attend a mainstream or special school, or college due to specific needs of children and young people with SEND, whose complex needs mean that attending a school or college is not currently suitable. This is not a choice made by parents, but a formal arrangement made through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with the local authority (Bromley Council) remaining responsible for the child’s education.
When is EOTISC considered?
EOTISC is only considered when no school or college setting is suitable for a child or young person. This decision is made under Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014, and only when the local authority is satisfied that:
“It would be inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school or post-16 institution.”
This often applies to children and young people with significant SEND, where their needs cannot be met safely or appropriately in any available educational setting. This means EOTISC is rare and only used when absolutely necessary.
What does EOTISC look like?
EOTISC is tailored to each child’s needs and may include:
- Online schooling or college
- Tuition at home
- Hospital-based education
- Therapies like Speech and Language Therapy
- Specialist SEND support services
- Bespoke learning plans aligned with EHCP outcomes
All of this is based on what’s written in the child’s EHCP.
How is EOTISC different from Elective Home Education?
Elective Home Education (EHE) is when parents choose to educate their child at home. In this case, the local authority usually does not provide education or resources.
EOTISC, on the other hand, is a local authority-led provision for children who cannot attend school, and it comes with full support and oversight.
How is the decision made?
If it’s believed that a child’s needs cannot be met in any school or college, a multi-disciplinary panel will review the case. This includes:
- SEND professionals from education, health, and social care
- The child or young person and their family
- The current school or setting
If EOTISC is agreed upon:
- A tailored education package is created to reflect the child’s SEND profile and EHCP outcomes
- Progress is reviewed every half term
- An annual review alongside regular checks are carried out to determine whether EOTISC remains the most appropriate option
- A reintegration plan may be developed if appropriate
What can parents expect?
Parents can expect that EOTISC will:
- Meet their child’s learning and development needs
- Be reviewed regularly
- Be delivered to the same standards as school-based or college-based education
- Be part of a plan that may include returning to school or college when possible
- Be aligned with the child’s EHCP and SEND outcomes
- Include input from SEND professionals and services