EOTAS in Wales – Part 2

 

What Support Can Families Expect — and What Are the Limits?

Once a Local Authority agrees that a child cannot receive suitable education in a school setting, they become responsible for arranging Education Other Than At School (EOTAS).
But what this looks like varies widely across Wales — and rarely matches the images parents first imagine.

This guide explains the realistic range of EOTAS provision, what your child should expect, what may not be included, and how to ensure the package remains meaningful and lawful.



📘 This is Part 2 of a 5-part series on EOTAS in Wales.

⬅️ Previous: Part 1 – Introduction to EOTAS  

➡️ Next: Part 3 – What EOTAS Provision Looks Like  

⭐ What “Suitable Education” Really Means (The Legal Requirement)

Under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, the Local Authority must provide:

✔ education suitable to age

✔ education suitable to ability

✔ education suitable to aptitude

✔ education suitable to ALN

✔ education for as many hours as the child’s health or capacity allows

“Full time” does not always mean 25 hours a week.
For children who cannot tolerate school or structured learning for extended periods, part time EOTAS is lawful, as long as it reflects the child’s genuine capacity.

But the education provided must still be meaningful.

⭐ The Realistic Range of EOTAS Provision in Wales

Here is what most families actually see in practice.

⭐ 1. 1:1 Tuition (Core Subjects)

Usually English, Maths, Science.
Delivered by qualified teachers or specialist tutors.

Typical pattern:

  • 2–5 hours per week

  • Sessions often 45–60 minutes

  • Delivered in the home, library, online or in a community setting

This is the foundation of most EOTAS packages.

⭐ 2. Online Learning Platforms

Often used to supplement limited tutor availability.

This can include:

These are helpful but should not be the only form of education unless the child’s health prevents live teaching.

⭐ 3. Small Group Tuition or Outreach Centres

Some LAs use:

These offer peer contact without the pressure of mainstream school.

⭐ 4. Specialist or Therapeutic Education Programmes

Availability varies but may include:

These are usually structured and time limited.

⭐ 5. Health-Related Support

Where appropriate, EOTAS can involve:

But therapeutic input must be written into an IDP to be enforceable.

⭐ What EOTAS Does Not Usually Include

EOTAS is education, not childcare or social care.

It does not routinely include:

  • all day supervision

  • wraparound care

  • a tutor on site all day

  • multiple tutors providing continuous input

  • ongoing therapy unless assessed and specified

  • transport services

  • fully bespoke home-schooling packages

  • private therapeutic interventions

If a child needs care or supervision, this comes under Social Services and Wellbeing Act duties, not EOTAS.

⭐ Specialist Interventions: Rare, Possible and Often Tribunal-Driven

Some families ask about specialist approaches such as ABA, Intensive Interaction, or full-time online schooling. These can be provided under EOTAS in rare cases, but they are not typical, and Welsh Local Authorities almost never agree to them without significant evidence. In most situations where specialist pedagogies have been secured, this has happened through Tribunal, supported by extensive professional reports showing that no other form of education would be suitable. These approaches may be appropriate for a very small number of children, but they are not offered routinely across Wales.

⭐ Typical Hours: What Parents Can Expect

⭐ Primary-age learners

3–6 hours per week is common.

⭐ Secondary-age learners

4–10 hours per week is typical, sometimes rising to 12–15 hours in more generous LAs.

⭐ Learners with Long Covid, ME/CFS or chronic illness

Often begin with 1–3 hours weekly, increasing gradually as stamina allows.

⭐ In GCSE years

Some LAs add extra tuition if the child can cope.

These numbers often surprise parents — but reflect capacity, tutor availability and Welsh Government guidance.

⭐ Why EOTAS Is Often Part Time — Even When Parents Want More

EOTAS tends to be part time because:

  • many children cannot tolerate long sessions

  • fatigue, anxiety or dysregulation limits capacity

  • tutoring is intense and demanding

  • tutor shortages are widespread

  • Welsh guidance does not require full timetables

  • genuine learning capacity matters more than hours

A child cannot do 25 hours of EOTAS if they can only tolerate 45 minutes of learning before a crash.

Part time is not failure — it is stabilisation.

⭐ The Local Authority’s Responsibilities

Your LA must:

✔ assess your child’s capacity

✔ provide meaningful and suitable education

✔ ensure tutors are vetted and trained

✔ monitor progress regularly

✔ keep the IDP updated

✔ plan for transitions or reintegration

✔ review provision frequently

They cannot:

❌ leave you with no education
❌ claim “we have no tutors” indefinitely
❌ rely on worksheets alone
❌ push you toward deregistration
❌ use attendance penalties
❌ delay reviews without justification

⭐ Integrating Social Care (When Relevant)

Some EOTAS learners also qualify for:

  • short breaks

  • direct payments

  • carer assessments

  • emotional or behavioural support

  • sibling support

  • home support for complex needs

Families often do not realise that EOTAS plus Social Care is a legitimate combination.
If a child’s needs span both education and care, both systems must be engaged.

⭐ What a Strong EOTAS Package Looks Like

A high quality package usually includes:

  • 1:1 tuition

  • progress monitoring

  • appropriate therapeutic or emotional support

  • flexibility around health or anxiety

  • reintegration planning where appropriate

  • safeguarding measures

  • multi-agency involvement

  • clear reviews

The right package feels supportive, not overwhelming.

⭐ What Happens if EOTAS Fails?

EOTAS can become unsuitable when:

  • the child cannot engage

  • health deteriorates

  • the tutor is not a good match

  • provision is too limited

  • progress stalls

  • family circumstances change

When this happens, the LA must:

✔ review the IDP

✔ adjust or increase provision

✔ explore specialist placements

✔ involve Social Care where needed

✔ ensure education continues

Parents should document concerns in writing.

⭐ Template: Requesting an EOTAS Review

Subject: Request for EOTAS Review Under Section 19 Duties

Dear [LA Caseworker / ALN Officer],

I am requesting an urgent review of my child’s current EOTAS provision.

The package is no longer suitable because:
[brief description — capacity, engagement, tutor availability, unmet needs].

Please confirm:

  • the date of the EOTAS Review Meeting

  • who will attend

  • how updated evidence can be shared

  • whether alternative provision or increased hours will be considered

I look forward to working with the Local Authority to ensure that [child’s name] continues to receive suitable education as required by Section 19 of the Education Act and the ALN legislation.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]

📚 **EOTAS in Wales – Full Blog Series**
Part 1 – Introduction to EOTAS  
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/12/eotas-in-wales-part-1.html
Part 2 – How EOTAS Decisions Are Made  
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/12/eotas-in-wales-part-2.html
Part 3 – What EOTAS Provision Looks Like  
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/12/eotas-in-wales-part-3.html
Part 4 – Specialist Interventions Under EOTAS  
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/12/specialist-interventions-under-eotas-in.html
Part 5 – Multi-Agency Working & Provider Support  
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/12/specialist-interventions-under-eotas-in_01577358569.html
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⭐ Sources 

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