EOTAS and EBSA Support for Children Unable to Access School in Essex
Specialist tutoring, emotion coaching and counselling for children experiencing anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), SEND and barriers to education.
When a child is unable to attend school because of anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), SEND, trauma or other complex needs, families often feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.
Emotionally Healthy Minds provides emotionally informed tutoring, emotion coaching and counselling that helps children rebuild confidence, improve emotional wellbeing and remain engaged with learning while longer-term educational arrangements are put in place. We work alongside families, schools and Local Authorities across Essex to create personalised support that meets both educational and emotional needs.
Every child is unique, and so is their educational journey. Whilst many children thrive within a traditional school environment, others need a different approach for a period of time.
Whether your child requires short-term support or a longer-term programme, we create personalised packages built around their individual needs, strengths and goals.
What is EOTAS?
‘EOTAS’ stands for ‘Education Other Than at School’. It may also be called EOTIS ‘Education Other Than in School’.
Some children and young people are unable to access education within a traditional school setting, even with support.
In certain circumstances, a local authority may agree that education should be provided outside of school through an Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) package.
EOTAS is usually considered when a child has significant barriers to attending school and their needs cannot currently be met within a school environment.
An EOTAS package may include educational, therapeutic and emotional wellbeing support designed around the child’s individual needs and agreed outcomes.
EOTAS provision is usually funded by the Local Authority as part of an agreed package of educational support, often linked to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
EOTAS Is Not the Same as Home Education
With EOTAS, the local authority remains responsible for securing the provision outlined within a child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
With Elective Home Education (EHE), parents choose to educate their child themselves and take responsibility for arranging suitable education.
Who we support
We support children and young people who:
- feel anxious about school
- are struggling emotionally
- have lost confidence in learning
- have SEND needs such as autism, ADHD, PDA or dyslexia
- are emotionally overwhelmed
- feel misunderstood or unsupported
- are school avoidant
- need a more nurturing and personalised approach to learning
- experiencing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA)
- awaiting specialist school placements
- with persistent absence linked to anxiety
Many of the children we work with have had difficult experiences within education and may have lost confidence in both themselves and their ability to learn.
Understanding Why Children Become Unable to Access School
When children experience significant anxiety, trauma, autism, ADHD, sensory overwhelm or other complex needs, attending school can become emotionally exhausting.
Many children desperately want to learn but no longer feel emotionally safe enough to attend.
This is especially common among children experiencing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), where anxiety—not behaviour—is the driving factor.
With the right emotional support, personalised education and understanding adults around them, many children begin to rebuild confidence, reconnect with learning and move forward positively.
How We Can Help
We believe emotional wellbeing and learning are closely connected. When children feel anxious, overwhelmed or unsafe, learning can become incredibly difficult.
Our support may include:
- Emotionally informed tuition
Delivered by qualified teachers to rebuild confidence, re-engage children with learning and provide personalised education that meets both academic and emotional needs. - Emotion Coaching
Helping children understand emotions, build resilience and develop strategies for managing anxiety and emotional regulation. - Counselling
Providing a safe, confidential space for children to explore thoughts and feelings while developing healthier ways of coping. - Confidence-building interventions
- Study skills and learning strategies
- Transition and reintegration support
Many students who come to us have lost confidence in themselves, in education or in their ability to succeed. Our goal is to help them reconnect with learning in a way that feels safe, achievable and meaningful.
Outcomes
Every child is different, but our support can help children to:
- Rebuild confidence and self-esteem
- Reduce anxiety around learning
- Improve emotional wellbeing
- Re-engage with education
- Develop resilience and independence
- Strengthen academic skills
- Prepare for reintegration into school where appropriate
- Increase school readiness
- Reduce emotionally based school avoidance
Funding EOTAS Support in Essex
Support may be funded in a variety of ways depending on your child’s circumstances, including:
- Family-funded arrangements
- SEND funding
- Families with an EHCP
- Children receiving EOTAS or Alternative Provision
- School-funded support
- Charitable grants and community funding
- Social Care and multi-agency funding
- Personal budgets
For more information about which funding options may be available to you, please see our Funding Options page.
Why Families Choose Emotionally Healthy Minds
We understand that every child’s journey is different. Families choose Emotionally Healthy Minds because our support is personalised, emotionally informed and built around helping children feel safe enough to learn again.
Families often tell us they value:
- Our calm and nurturing approach
- Strong relationships with children and young people
- Expertise in SEND and emotional wellbeing
- Personalised support programmes
- Flexible delivery options
- Consistent communication
- Focus on both wellbeing and educational progress
- Emotionally informed educational approach
- SEND-informed practitioners
- Specialists in anxiety, EBSA and school avoidance
- Holistic support combining education and emotional wellbeing
Most importantly, children tell us they feel understood.
Safeguarding and Professional Standards
Safeguarding sits at the heart of everything we do.
Our tutors are qualified and experienced teachers, including current and former classroom teachers, SENCOs, Deputy Heads and members of school leadership teams. Our coaches and counsellors are experienced practitioners with specialist knowledge of supporting children and young people.
All team members undergo daily enhanced DBS checks, regular safeguarding training and ongoing professional development.
We are committed to providing safe, high-quality support that children, families and professionals can trust.
Contact us to discuss your requirements and explore how Emotionally Healthy Minds may be able to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EBSA and school refusal?
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) describes situations where a child is unable to attend school because of overwhelming emotional distress or anxiety. Unlike traditional “school refusal”, EBSA recognises that the child’s absence is driven by emotional needs rather than simply choosing not to attend.
Can EOTAS include counselling or emotion coaching?
Yes. Depending on the agreed provision and individual needs, EOTAS packages may include tutoring, counselling, emotion coaching and other personalised educational or emotional wellbeing support.
Does my child need an EHCP to access support?
No. Many families access our services privately or through school funding. An EHCP is not always required.
Can you support children with school anxiety or EBSA?
Yes. Supporting children experiencing anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and difficulties engaging with education is a significant part of our work.
What support do you offer for neurodivergent children with autism, ADHD or PDA?
We support many children and young people with autism, ADHD and PDA, including those experiencing anxiety, school avoidance, burnout, low confidence or difficulties accessing traditional learning environments. Our approach is flexible, child-centred and emotionally informed, adapting to each child’s individual needs, strengths and communication style.
Do you provide tuition, coaching and counselling?
Yes. Depending on a child’s needs, support may include tuition, emotion coaching, counselling or a combination of these services. We take a joined-up approach that recognises the close connection between emotional wellbeing and learning.
Can support be delivered online?
Yes. Depending on the child’s needs, support can be delivered online, in person or through a blended approach.
Can your services be funded through a Personal Budget, Direct Payment or EOTAS package?
In some circumstances, yes. This will depend on the arrangements agreed within a child’s EHCP and local authority processes. We are happy to provide information and costings where required.
Can you help my child return to school?
For some children, yes. Where appropriate, we work alongside families and professionals to support confidence, engagement and successful reintegration into education. For others, the focus may be on developing a different pathway that better meets their needs.
What happens next?
Simply make an enquiry for an informal conversation. We will take time to understand your child’s needs and discuss the most appropriate support options available.
