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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

How do I start pursuing EOTAS after a specialist placement breakdown?

12 replies

letsstickmyhandinthere · Yesterday 11:00

My ds is 8 years old and has been permanently excluded from mainstream, spent nearly 2 years in an apc then the last 7 months in a specialist school that has just announced his placement breakdown due to his explosive, complex needs.
The head is lovely and went down this route rather than another PEX and is happy to support me in approaching SENAT for an EOTAS package as my ds needs a very holistic flexible approach to learning.

The problem is I have no idea where to start, he has an ehcp and the head teacher is calling in an emergency annual review due to the placement breakdown which we are yet to be given a date for (this happened on friday). I've looked online about how to go about building a bespoke timetable for him and ideas on what he needs but I'm becoming overwhelmed.
Has anyone got who has done this before able to help point me in the right direction. My ds is heartbroken and feeling badly rejected as he had only just started making friends and liking school after years of school trauma.

OP posts:
scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Yesterday 13:39

So there are 2 elements.

  1. Getting agreement to leave section I blank for EOTAS/EOTIS. You will hear both terms used. Some at SENDIST have a bee in their bonnet about using EOTIS. For this, you will need to show that it is inappropriate for provision to be made in a school.
  2. The content of the package. This needs to be set out in section F. The content of EHCPs is based on the evidence. When did DS last have EP, OT, SALT assessments?
It needs to be a proper package. Don’t let the LA fob you off with a few hours of tuition, an AP and maybe a couple of hours of therapy. There is so much more to be considered as part of an EOTAS/EOTIS package.

For example:

  • Tuition - This does not have to be traditional tuition, traditional academics or formal provision. It can be completely self led provision if necessary.
  • Therapies - e.g. SALT, OT, SIOT, rebound therapy, hydrotherapy, music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, hippotherapy, drama therapy, physio, CBT… Even if DS can’t engage directly with therapists at the moment, indirect therapy provision is vital to an EOTAS/EOTIS package.
  • Music/cooking/drama/singing/art/coding/pottery/sewing… lessons. Whatever DS is interested in.
  • Mentoring - F2F, online or both.
  • Alternative provision settings - there is a huge range of these from more academic ones to gaming ones, forest schools, care farms, outwards bounds, sports, art and so many more. Some run online as well as in person.
  • Sport/exercise - e.g. climbing, swimming, surfing, skiing, football, dance, horse riding, personal trainer…
  • Equipment - e.g. technology, software and assistive tech. Sensory equipment. Gym equipment, desk, chairs…
  • Subscriptions/memberships - this can be anything from subscription boxes for books/Lego/sciences/technology/art/gardening/cooking/sweets to things like spectrum space boxes and LCB Education boxes to magazine subscriptions, membership to the gym/trampolining/National Trust/nintendo online…
  • A budget for resources/sundries.
  • Budget for activities and accessing the community.
  • Not forgetting professional time - e.g. staffing, for planning, report writing/updated advice and information, preparing for and attending MDTs and ARs, leading and co-ordinating the package, liaising with other professionals, EP time…
  • Travel - for DS to attend activities and for professionals to travel to him.

You aren’t responsible for organising provision and you can’t be forced to do it, but many parents find the following helpful. Many have to appeal and the below can be helpful for an appeal too.

It can help to make a table. Needs from B (it can help to break it down into the different areas of needs) or what amendments need to be made to B, provision from F (and any provision that is not in F but is essential for the delivery of the provision in F) or what amendments need to be made to F, provider, cost (one-off/weekly/termly/yearly) - these will be in section J for a personal budgetoutcome from E or the amendments that need to be made to E. You can also add a column for how each part of the PB will be paid (DPs, third party arrangements, commissioned directly). Don’t worry if you aren’t sure about all the details yet. So if you don’t know the provider or cost, don’t panic.

And make a list of any provision that isn’t in F but is necessary in order for the LA to fulfil their duties under section 19 of the Education Act 1996.

It can also help to make a mock timetable. You can add references to the evidence and EHCP/proposed amendments to support each provision on the timetable.

All the above helps the LA (and ultimately SENDIST if you have to appeal, and many do have to appeal) to see the plan is considered, organised, reasonable and, importantly, viable. Some parents get bogged down with the past. That is a downfall. Yes, for EOTAS/EOTIS, you need to demonstrate it is inappropriate for provision to be made in school, but they (and SENDIST if you have to appeal) also need to see the plan going forward. They need to see it is carefully considered. It helps for them to see the needs, what the provision will look like, how the provision will meet those needs, that there is some kind of future plan going forward beyond the past - like a school will have an aims and ethos (and sometimes vision) statement, prospectus and SEN information report, all while referencing the evidence.

letsstickmyhandinthere · Yesterday 16:59

scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Yesterday 13:39

So there are 2 elements.

  1. Getting agreement to leave section I blank for EOTAS/EOTIS. You will hear both terms used. Some at SENDIST have a bee in their bonnet about using EOTIS. For this, you will need to show that it is inappropriate for provision to be made in a school.
  2. The content of the package. This needs to be set out in section F. The content of EHCPs is based on the evidence. When did DS last have EP, OT, SALT assessments?
It needs to be a proper package. Don’t let the LA fob you off with a few hours of tuition, an AP and maybe a couple of hours of therapy. There is so much more to be considered as part of an EOTAS/EOTIS package.

For example:

  • Tuition - This does not have to be traditional tuition, traditional academics or formal provision. It can be completely self led provision if necessary.
  • Therapies - e.g. SALT, OT, SIOT, rebound therapy, hydrotherapy, music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, hippotherapy, drama therapy, physio, CBT… Even if DS can’t engage directly with therapists at the moment, indirect therapy provision is vital to an EOTAS/EOTIS package.
  • Music/cooking/drama/singing/art/coding/pottery/sewing… lessons. Whatever DS is interested in.
  • Mentoring - F2F, online or both.
  • Alternative provision settings - there is a huge range of these from more academic ones to gaming ones, forest schools, care farms, outwards bounds, sports, art and so many more. Some run online as well as in person.
  • Sport/exercise - e.g. climbing, swimming, surfing, skiing, football, dance, horse riding, personal trainer…
  • Equipment - e.g. technology, software and assistive tech. Sensory equipment. Gym equipment, desk, chairs…
  • Subscriptions/memberships - this can be anything from subscription boxes for books/Lego/sciences/technology/art/gardening/cooking/sweets to things like spectrum space boxes and LCB Education boxes to magazine subscriptions, membership to the gym/trampolining/National Trust/nintendo online…
  • A budget for resources/sundries.
  • Budget for activities and accessing the community.
  • Not forgetting professional time - e.g. staffing, for planning, report writing/updated advice and information, preparing for and attending MDTs and ARs, leading and co-ordinating the package, liaising with other professionals, EP time…
  • Travel - for DS to attend activities and for professionals to travel to him.

You aren’t responsible for organising provision and you can’t be forced to do it, but many parents find the following helpful. Many have to appeal and the below can be helpful for an appeal too.

It can help to make a table. Needs from B (it can help to break it down into the different areas of needs) or what amendments need to be made to B, provision from F (and any provision that is not in F but is essential for the delivery of the provision in F) or what amendments need to be made to F, provider, cost (one-off/weekly/termly/yearly) - these will be in section J for a personal budgetoutcome from E or the amendments that need to be made to E. You can also add a column for how each part of the PB will be paid (DPs, third party arrangements, commissioned directly). Don’t worry if you aren’t sure about all the details yet. So if you don’t know the provider or cost, don’t panic.

And make a list of any provision that isn’t in F but is necessary in order for the LA to fulfil their duties under section 19 of the Education Act 1996.

It can also help to make a mock timetable. You can add references to the evidence and EHCP/proposed amendments to support each provision on the timetable.

All the above helps the LA (and ultimately SENDIST if you have to appeal, and many do have to appeal) to see the plan is considered, organised, reasonable and, importantly, viable. Some parents get bogged down with the past. That is a downfall. Yes, for EOTAS/EOTIS, you need to demonstrate it is inappropriate for provision to be made in school, but they (and SENDIST if you have to appeal) also need to see the plan going forward. They need to see it is carefully considered. It helps for them to see the needs, what the provision will look like, how the provision will meet those needs, that there is some kind of future plan going forward beyond the past - like a school will have an aims and ethos (and sometimes vision) statement, prospectus and SEN information report, all while referencing the evidence.

His last assesment with a EP was about 3 years ago. Alot has changed since then and he wasn't fully evaluated due to only just starting the apc and he wouldn't engage.

Honestly I'm so lost with it all. I've just spoken to his school and he's on a virtual timetable for the next 6 weeks while we try get SENAT to get thier fingers out.
He ideally needs to be reevaluated by an EP but without being in school that's pointless as the extreme behaviour he displays there aren't the same as at home

His current ehcp I would say isn't fit for purpose, I know the head teacher has said there's alot she wants to bring up in the AR when we get a date as so much needs changing for him.

Ive already come up with a dream timetable of his learning which includes things he's interested in (he won't engage unless it's an intrest) and the only therapy he apparently needs according to his ehcp is SLT but at his school he was doing play therapy, forest school and art therapy.
He doesn't want to go back to a school and has made that very clear this weekend, he wants to be home where he feels safe.

OP posts:
scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Yesterday 19:02

EP evidence isn’t pointless. Even though DS isn’t in school, good evidence can still be secured. A good EP will be experienced in assessing DC not in school. Same for SALT, OT and CP advice and information. Updated advice and information needs to be sought as part of the AR process. Evidence is vital because the content of the EHCP, and thus the EOTAS/EOTIS package, is based on evidence.

Proper AP needs to be put in place now. Not just a virtual timetable. Chase the LA on this. It will be longer than 6 weeks.

Don’t call it a dream timetable when discussing DS’s case with the LA. Say it is what DS requires, referencing your evidence. The LA doesn’t have a duty to provide the best possible education. Only what is appropriate and reasonably required. If you use the word ‘dream’, the LA may latch onto it and run with the idea that it is beyond what is legally required of them.

letsstickmyhandinthere · Yesterday 22:06

scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Yesterday 19:02

EP evidence isn’t pointless. Even though DS isn’t in school, good evidence can still be secured. A good EP will be experienced in assessing DC not in school. Same for SALT, OT and CP advice and information. Updated advice and information needs to be sought as part of the AR process. Evidence is vital because the content of the EHCP, and thus the EOTAS/EOTIS package, is based on evidence.

Proper AP needs to be put in place now. Not just a virtual timetable. Chase the LA on this. It will be longer than 6 weeks.

Don’t call it a dream timetable when discussing DS’s case with the LA. Say it is what DS requires, referencing your evidence. The LA doesn’t have a duty to provide the best possible education. Only what is appropriate and reasonably required. If you use the word ‘dream’, the LA may latch onto it and run with the idea that it is beyond what is legally required of them.

Our LA is absolutely useless here it's a joke. The caseworker barely responds and when she does it's to make me aware she's going on yet another annual leave!
Sorry if I sound like my head is in the sand I'm really unsure of how to handle this situation, I won't call it a dream timetable to the LA I'm just using that to explain in an ideal world what it would look like. Ive got an 8 month old baby and another sen child so I'm running on empty atm and brain fog is an understatement 😅
So where should I start ? School have sent SENAT a request for an emergency AR as far as I've been told, do I send a request for one aswell. Ds ehcp says some helpful stuff but I wouldn't class it as evidence really for EOTAS it says he only needed 1:1 for 1 term to settle in at school and he's spent 7 months with 1:1 full time at his school because of how his needs are which they had to request additional funding for to support him. I was planning on using the reports from his last 3 settings that he hasn't coped in as proof so to speak that his needs can't be met in a school setting. The fact that all 3 are different types and each one has a higher adult to child ratio to the next and he still can't manage. No other school around will take him and we've had a while 2 years of sending out his ehcp and dps by SENAT done and the school he's just ended was the only one that could potentially take him.

Even if SENAT found a school very far away to try to send him to he wouldn't be able to attend as I've had to be his p.a in transport since Xmas just to get him to and from school or he won't go and that was a 30 min journey away.
The head plans on requesting changes to the ehcp to reflect his current needs based on their experience of him while he attended which should help shouldn't it and I can use that to push for EOTAS or am I completely barking up the wrong tree?

I'm really burnt out myself with this all so if you could breakdown what I need to do to basic steps I'd really appreciate it, ive got a timetable planned out and I've got some quotes for spending on the swimming lessons and a few subscriptions we will need plus a laptop, desk and chair for his own learning space.

OP posts:
scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Yesterday 22:50

Despite what some LAs think, the law is the same in all LAs.

Yes, request an early review yourself.

When preparing for the AR, it will help you to work through my first post. Although I’m afraid it sounds like you are lacking evidence right now. Further evidence can be sought, though. Don’t panic.

Having a mock timetable is good, but you need to be able to reference your evidence and how it fits in with the provision in F (which is, in turn, based on the evidence) of the EHCP. Making a table as per my first post will help you. For example, I have 2 DSs with EOTAS/EOTIS, one of them has swimming (a mix of swimming and aqua/hydrotherapy but in a normal temp poo for medical reasons) on his timetable. That is on his timetable because it is in section F of his EHCP to meet needs in section B of his EHCP and the provision will hopefully lead to the achievement of some of the Outcomes in section E of the EHCP. In turn, the evidence for that comes from the physio, OT and the swimming teacher. Then the provider and costs are in section J. So you can see this can all be pulled into a table.

Alongside this, request alternative provision. The LA has a duty to ensure DS still receives a suitable, full-time education and anything detailed, specified and quantified in F.

If the caseworker ignores you, email the Director of Children’s Services too. Even if you don’t get a reply directly, it can sometimes prompt action, and if it doesn’t, it helps to build a paper trail so you can take things further. For the AP, contact the team who arrange education for those unable to school directly too.

Evidence from the failed placements can help to evidence EOTAS/EOTIS is required. However, that evidence alone will not be sufficient to secure a good EOTAS/EOTIS package.

No other school around will take him

Just so you are aware, the LA may name one, anyway. They don’t need schools who are not wholly independent to agree. They can direct them to admit. LAs do this regularly even if it is clear EOTAS/EOTIS is required.

letsstickmyhandinthere · Today 12:08

scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Yesterday 22:50

Despite what some LAs think, the law is the same in all LAs.

Yes, request an early review yourself.

When preparing for the AR, it will help you to work through my first post. Although I’m afraid it sounds like you are lacking evidence right now. Further evidence can be sought, though. Don’t panic.

Having a mock timetable is good, but you need to be able to reference your evidence and how it fits in with the provision in F (which is, in turn, based on the evidence) of the EHCP. Making a table as per my first post will help you. For example, I have 2 DSs with EOTAS/EOTIS, one of them has swimming (a mix of swimming and aqua/hydrotherapy but in a normal temp poo for medical reasons) on his timetable. That is on his timetable because it is in section F of his EHCP to meet needs in section B of his EHCP and the provision will hopefully lead to the achievement of some of the Outcomes in section E of the EHCP. In turn, the evidence for that comes from the physio, OT and the swimming teacher. Then the provider and costs are in section J. So you can see this can all be pulled into a table.

Alongside this, request alternative provision. The LA has a duty to ensure DS still receives a suitable, full-time education and anything detailed, specified and quantified in F.

If the caseworker ignores you, email the Director of Children’s Services too. Even if you don’t get a reply directly, it can sometimes prompt action, and if it doesn’t, it helps to build a paper trail so you can take things further. For the AP, contact the team who arrange education for those unable to school directly too.

Evidence from the failed placements can help to evidence EOTAS/EOTIS is required. However, that evidence alone will not be sufficient to secure a good EOTAS/EOTIS package.

No other school around will take him

Just so you are aware, the LA may name one, anyway. They don’t need schools who are not wholly independent to agree. They can direct them to admit. LAs do this regularly even if it is clear EOTAS/EOTIS is required.

Would it be ok if i sent you a PM of his ehcp section B to see what you think of it. Ive blocked out his name and the LA we are under?

OP posts:
scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Today 13:13

Feel free to PM me. Remember though that section B can be amended via the review process (and then appealing if necessary), so even if it is poor now, it doesn’t mean it always has to be.

letsstickmyhandinthere · Today 13:24

scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Today 13:13

Feel free to PM me. Remember though that section B can be amended via the review process (and then appealing if necessary), so even if it is poor now, it doesn’t mean it always has to be.

Il delete it after you've given it a read

OP posts:
letsstickmyhandinthere · Today 13:35

@scoopofmintchocchipicecream

Cognition and Learning

Strengths

is very creative.

is amazing_at building with Lego.
finds it difficult to focus in the classroom and is reported to be able to
maintain attention on adult-directed activities for under 5 minutes,

Being asked to do something that is not his choice is a trigger for

has fixed and repetitive areas of interest.

Areas of need

has difficulty using working memory during learning tasks, particularly
when the task places a high demand on language processing skills.

has difficulty sequencing and ordering information flexibly and uses a
narrow range of fixed approaches to problem-solving.

has poorly developed literacy skills, including reading, writing and his
understanding of language for learning. He made little progress when learning
to read with phonics, and is now able to sight-read some c-v-c words. He
considers that he "can't read"

Communication and Interaction

Strengths
Areas of need

is able to play and share with peers on his own terms,
has a speech sound disorder and language disorder, alongside extensive
difficulties with attention and social communication differences.
difficulty with attention contributes to his difficulty giving relevant answers to
questions and maintaining the topic of conversation.

has severe receptive language difficulties
'attention and
motivation to follow the adult's agenda will further limit his ability_to follow instructions in school.

'has severe difficulties with expressive language skills

‣ has difficulty answering simple conversation questions such as about his
age, home and breakfast, even with repetition and prompting.

has unclear speech, his teacher reports this can cause him frustration
and incidents of communicative difficulty can contribute to behavioural
incidents. gs difficulty forming sentences have an additional impact on his
intelligibility.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Strengths

is very sociable and has a good sense of humour
demonstrates sensory seeking and compulsive behaviours.

Me finds it hard to remain still for any length of time or to feel himself
physĩcally constrained.

finds it difficult to regulate his behaviour and emotions,

is at risk due to impulsive and reactive behaviours such as running.

Areas of need

frequently gets frustrated and angry, especially when he feels he can't
be understood due to his speech.

can be anxious, particularly in unfamiliar situations or in situations that
he finds hard to predict.

self-confidence and self-esteem have been impacted by an awareness
of his sense of difference and his difficulties in some areas of learning and
behaviour. He has indicated an unwillingness to attend school in the past.

_has experienced disruption to his education and separation from his
friendship group as a consequence of his exclusion from school.

OP posts:
scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Today 13:46

Section B needs amending and improving whatever placement or otherwise is in I.

letsstickmyhandinthere · Today 13:50

@scoopofmintchocchipicecream currently it names his specialist school until the AR, what would you say needs to be changed in section B, i thought this wasn't too bad apart from adding another setting failure and his explosive behaviours that lead to violent outbursts when overwhelmed and he's unable to access being in the class room and needs full time 1:1

OP posts:
scoopofmintchocchipicecream · Today 18:34

I can’t tell you exactly what amendments are required because I haven’t seen the evidence, I don’t know DS and it sound like you need further evidence anyway, but it needs amending because it clearly doesn’t cover all DS’s needs.

As well as seeking further evidence, go through your evidence with highlighters. Highlight all the needs on one colour and all the provision in another. All needs must be in B. All provision should be in F.

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