The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a national consultation focusing on children and young people who receive education outside of a traditional school setting.
If your child receives Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS), accesses Alternative Provision (AP) due to physical or mental health needs, or uses accredited online education providers, this consultation directly impacts your family’s future.
For too long, families navigating alternative education pathways have felt left to figure out a complex system on their own. This is a critical window of opportunity to demand better oversight, clearer responsibilities, and higher-quality support.
What Is the DfE Looking For?
The government wants to understand how support can be improved, how responsibilities between local authorities, schools, and health services can be clarified, and how non-traditional provision can be better quality-assured.
Specifically, the consultation is seeking views across three main areas:
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EOTAS Packages: How special educational provision set out in an EHCP is delivered when a school setting isn't appropriate.
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Health-Related Alternative Provision: How to reduce delays and better support children who miss school due to physical or mental health needs.
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Online Education Providers: How accredited online platforms are used and monitored for alternative provision.
The DfE is inviting feedback directly from children and young people, parents and carers, schools, local authorities, and sector organisations.
Why Your Response Matters
Policy changes are shaped by those who speak up. If you are a parent or carer who has had to fight for an EOTAS package, struggled to get provision while your child was too unwell to attend school, or relied on online learning, your lived experience is essential evidence.
Without strong input from the families actually living through these processes, there is a risk that future policies will reflect administrative convenience rather than the real needs of children.
Deadline: The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 18 September 2026.
Need Help Making Your Voice Heard?
It can be overwhelming to translate your personal experiences into formal consultation responses, especially when you are already putting so much energy into advocating for your child day-to-day.
At Practical SEND Solutions, we believe every family’s voice deserves to be heard loudly and clearly by decision-makers.
Whether you need help understanding the consultation proposals, structuring your feedback, or making sure your child's EHCP and current EOTAS arrangements remain protected, we are here to guide you.
Take Action Today
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Read and Respond to the Consultation: You can view the consultation details and submit your thoughts directly via the official link: DfE Consultation Portal
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Book a Free Consultation: If you need expert support with an EOTAS request, an EHCP, or navigating health-related alternative provision, get in touch with Practical SEND Solutions.
We offer a FREE initial consultation to discuss your situation and help you secure the right support for your child.