Education Other Than At School (EOTAS)

Appendix 1 - Terms of reference - EOTAS Assurance Meeting

Frequency

Monthly

Chair

Strategic Lead: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Practice

Attendees

Head of Education and Inclusion, Team Manager Vulnerable Learners, Service Lead Alternative Provision, Service Lead SEND Placements and Governance, Virtual School Headteacher.

Purpose

To provide strategic oversight and assurance of Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) arrangements across the local authority, ensuring all statutory duties are met and that provision is appropriate, effective, and responsive to the needs of children and young people.

Objectives

The objectives are:

to monitor compliance with Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and associated SEND Code of Practice guidance
to review and assure the quality, suitability, and impact of EOTAS packages
to ensure robust multi agency decision-making and governance around EOTAS placements
to track and evaluate outcomes for children and young people receiving EOTAS provision
to identify and address any gaps in provision, safeguarding concerns, or risks to statutory compliance
to oversee transitions into and out of EOTAS, including reintegration planning and post-16 pathways
to ensure parental engagement and the voice of the child are central to all decisions

Scope

oversight of all children and young people currently registered as EOTAS
review of new children accessing EOTAS, ongoing cases, and those approaching transition or reintegration
monitoring of attendance, engagement and progress data
assurance of commissioning arrangements and quality of provision
consideration of legal thresholds, suitability tests, and Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) compliance, including updating EHCP following EOTAS decision
alignment with wider SEND strategy and inclusion priorities
discussion and decision making around any children who there are concerns

Monitoring outcomes

improved educational outcomes and engagement for EOTAS learners
evidence of statutory compliance across all cases
timely and appropriate decision-making with clear audit trails
reduction in children missing education or receiving unsuitable provision
strengthened multi-agency collaboration and accountability

Reporting and governance

key actions and decisions will be recorded and tracked for oversight but on the child's file
if an attendee is not available a sub will be required - in the absence of the chair the meeting will be chaired by the Head of Education and Inclusion
escalations or concerns will be reported to the Assistant Director, Education, Inclusion and Achievement
summary reports may be shared with senior leadership, elected members, and relevant scrutiny panels
quarterly updates to be provided to SEND Strategic Group in report format