Have Your Say: New Consultation on EOTAS
The Department for Education has launched a consultation on Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS), alternative provision, support for children or young people unable to attend school for health reasons, and accredited online education.
The consultation is seeking views on how support can be improved for children and young people educated outside of a traditional school setting. We wanted to make our community aware of this consultation because we know it covers issues that are highly relevant to many families affected by PANS and PANDAS. We also recognise that many families have already contributed to recent education consultations. It can sometimes feel as though families are being asked to revisit the same experiences again and again.
What is the focus of this consultation?
This consultation focuses on an area that has often received less attention in wider policy discussions: education taking place outside of school. For many families affected by PANS and PANDAS, whether through EOTAS, alternative provision, online learning or other arrangements, this is an important opportunity to ensure their experiences help inform future policy.
Many families will remember concerns during recent SEND reform discussions that children and young people educated outside school, including those accessing EOTAS, were not always visible in the wider conversation. For some children and young people with PANS and PANDAS, education outside school may form part of the support arrangements put in place to meet individual needs.
We regularly hear from families whose educational journeys have taken place partly or entirely outside of school. This consultation provides an opportunity for those experiences and perspectives to contribute to discussions about future policy.
Our 2026 PANS PANDAS UK Lived Experience Survey highlights some of the educational challenges:
82% of families told us that PANS or PANDAS had affected their child’s or young person’s attendance at school.
81% families reported that academic progress had been negatively affected by PANS and PANDAS.
If your family has experience of:
- EOTAS
- Alternative provision
- Online learning
- Long periods of absence from school
- Difficulties accessing suitable educational support
we encourage you to consider responding.
We know that educational experiences can vary significantly for children and young people affected by PANS and PANDAS. This consultation is an important opportunity for children, young people, parents, carers and professionals with experience of education outside school to help shape future policy.
Tina Coope, Education Lead, PANS PANDAS UK.
Frequently asked questions
Who can take part?
· Children and young people
· Parents and carers
· Early years settings
· Schools and trusts
· Local authorities
· Further education settings
· Sector organisations
When does the consultation close?
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 18th September 2026.
Where can I take part?
You can read the consultation and share your views here.
Is there an Easy Read version?
Yes. An Easy Read version of the consultation is available here.
Where can I find more information about EOTAS?
IPSEA – Education Otherwise Than In A School (EOTAS) https://www.ipsea.org.uk/home-education-and-education-otherwise
Council for Disabled Children – EOTAS Policy Briefing https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources/all-resources/filter/inclusion-send/education-other-school-eotas-policy-briefing
Will PANS PANDAS UK be responding?
PANS PANDAS UK will be taking time to review the consultation in more detail. Our understanding of these issues continues to be informed by the experiences families share with us through our community, surveys and engagement activities. We will share a further update once we have had the opportunity to fully review the proposals.
