Agenda item

To receive further evidence in respect of Children Not in School under the categories of Educated Other than at School (EOTAS) and Alternative Provision (AP).

 

EOTAS Process attached.

As part of their review of Children Not in School, the Select Committee received further evidence in respect of children falling under the categories of Educated Other Than At School (EOTAS) and Alternative Provision (AP).

 

The Education Other Than At School Process booklet had been circulated to the Select Committee with the agenda for the meeting.

 

The Select Committee received a presentation which outlined:

 

Educated Other Than at School

 

Definition - Education other than at school (EOTAS) means the education or special educational provision of children or young people outside of a formal educational setting

·         EOTAS is not Elective Home Education

·         EOTAS is provided for under Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014, which gives local authorities the power to arrange special educational provision outside of a school if they are satisfied that it would be "inappropriate" for the provision to be made in a school or college setting.

·         Responsibility and Funding: If EOTAS is agreed upon, the local authority remains legally responsible for securing and funding the provision.

 

Who Accesses EOTAS?

·         Children with special educational needs who cannot access any educational setting owing to their needs

·         Small minority of children with the most complex needs

·         Agreed by SENDMAP based on evidence

·         Monitored by both SEND and Vulnerable Learners Teams – November 2025 process

 

Numbers of EOTAS

·         7 children currently in Stockton who are registered as EOTAS

·         4 ordered by or as a result of the SEND Tribunal Service

·         3 agreed by the service via its SENDMAP, decision making panel

·         Short term intervention

 

Alternative Provision

 

What is Alternative Provision?

·         Alternative Provision (AP) refers to education arranged for pupils who cannot attend mainstream school for reasons such as exclusion, illness, or other circumstances

·         It provides tailored learning in settings like pupil referral units, specialist schools, or independent providers, ensuring students continue to receive education suited to their needs

 

Non School Alternative Provision

 

There are many Non School Alternative Provisions (NSAP’s) that schools and the Local Authority can access to support Stockton children. They are able to support pupils from KS1 to post 16. They can provide this in different ways including:

·         Face to face education in a venue

·         Tuition in different venues that are appropriate to the pupil including their home on occasion

·         Online education both live and recorded

·         Therapeutic support for neurodiverse pupils

·         Outdoor and physical activities

 

Data snapshot Autumn 2025:

·         There were 20 requests for AP advice from schools (60% primary and 40% secondary)

·         Of the notifications we received in the Autumn term from schools:

Ø  There were more requests for advice about AP for boys than girls ( 75% boys and 25% girls)

Ø  There were 43 pupils who accessed AP from Stockton framework  during the Autumn term ( 86% secondary and 14% primary) and 4 of them returned back to school

Ø  14 children who have been permanently excluded this academic year are accessing LA organised AP

 

Stockton on Tees AP Framework:

·         2021-2023 – First Framework published with a number of providers on. This was used as a school directory for schools to commission providers from an agreed framework. This Framework lasted for 2 years and had 29 providers on the framework at the start

·         2023-2033- A new framework was agreed. It is open for 10 years and has the ability to add new providers if they meet the criteria at regular intervals. Between 2023 and 2025 there were 12 providers on the framework. Following successful applications in summer 2025 there are now 29 providers on the framework

·         To be approved on the framework providers must meet a set of criteria and go through a moderation process completed by a number of LA Officers. Once approved all providers will have an annual quality assurance visit. Providers may request to leave the framework or Stockton council can end the agreement if they feel the provider no longer meets the criteria set.

 

Pathway Development Centres – LA Commissioned AP:

·         Short Term provision for children who have been permanently excluded in Key Stage 1-4

·         12 week placements in either a mainstream primary or secondary school or an SEMH special school

·         6 places in total in mainstream primary school

·         10 places in secondary school (from January 2026)

·         80 place Pupil Referral Unit – Bishopton PRU

·         10 places in specialist provision for children with ongoings EHC Needs Assessment

 

Quality Assurance of AP including Non School AP:

·         An annual visit takes place to quality assure alternative provision.

·         LA officers who also have qualified teacher status complete the quality assurance of provisions

·         Quality assurance involves a visit either face to face or online (if an online provider)

·         Providers must also provide documents and a range of up to date policies, e.g. safeguarding certificates, insurance, policies, first aid etc.

·         Until recently the QA visit focused on 64 different measures

·         Following the publication of the new DFE voluntary standards guidance we have reviewed the QA document. It is now organised into the 4 recommended areas for assurance: Health and Safety, Quality of education, Safeguarding and welfare and Admissions, Guidance and Support

·         Whilst some providers have been given further advice to add even further improvements to their provision, only 1 provider (not on the framework) has not achieved a satisfactory quality assurance judgement within the last year

 

AP Networks:

·         Networks happen each half term and attendees include schools, Local Authority Officers, AP providers, parents, health and 3rd sector representatives

·         Networks provide national updates and legislation , share good practice and facilitate co production of guidance for stakeholders in Stockton

·         A recent network marketplace event saw 14 AP providers attend for a day to meet with schools and talk about what they can offer schools. Feedback was positive from the event from both AP providers and school staff and LA officers

·         Feedback from the event praised:

Ø  Face-to-face conversations and networking. 

Ø  Variety and breadth of providers in one space. 

Ø  High-quality information and clear overviews. 

Ø  Professional, well-organised setup. 

Ø  Bespoke offers tailored to learner needs 

 

 

AGREED that the information be noted.