Home education and alternative provision: how they differ and what is open to families

Families often use these terms as if they mean the same thing. They do not, and the differences decide who is responsible, who pays and who can contact a provider.

Elective home education

This is when parents choose to educate their child at home instead of sending them to school. GOV.UK says you must make sure your child receives a full-time education from the age of 5, but you do not have to follow the national curriculum. If your child is at school, you should tell the school if you plan to educate them at home, and the school must accept if you are taking your child out completely. If your child has SEN and attends a special school, you need the council's permission to educate them at home. You do not need permission if your child attends a mainstream school, even if they have an EHC plan. The council can make an informal enquiry to check that your child is getting a suitable education at home. The DfE publishes separate elective home education guidance for parents and for local authorities.

Because it is the parent's choice, a family doing this usually arranges and pays for the learning itself, including courses, tutoring and online providers. Check costs, including any exam entry, with the provider before you commit.

Eotas (education otherwise than at school)

This is different. EOTAS is provision a local authority makes for a child with an EHC plan where it would be inappropriate to provide education in a school (Children and Families Act 2014, section 61). It is arranged through the plan, with the local authority, not chosen privately. See our EOTAS guide.

EHC plans are for children and young people up to 25 who need more support than SEN support can provide, according to GOV.UK.

Local authority or school arranged alternative provision

The DfE's alternative provision guidance covers education arranged by local authorities for pupils who would not otherwise receive suitable education, and by schools for pupils placed off-site. In these cases the school or council decides and arranges the provision. See how placements are arranged.

Private tuition and online provision

Many tutoring and online providers work with families directly. Some work only with schools and local authorities. Some do both. That is the question AP Directory's "How placements are arranged" section on each provider page tries to answer. It only shows a route where there is evidence, and otherwise says "Not yet confirmed".

Finding provision a family can contact

Use the online provision page to filter by live or on-demand lessons, age stage, subject and the support a learner needs, then ask providers the questions in our checklist. A listing is not a recommendation or safeguarding approval. If your child has an EHC plan, talk to your local authority before making changes, as private arrangements may affect what the plan provides.

Some home-educated learners and schools look at flexible online courses, including GCSE-style courses without a formal exam, or GCSE Photography. One listed provider offering these is Creative Learners, which is run by AP Directory's founder.

This guide is general information, not advice about your family's situation. Your local SENDIASS service offers free, impartial advice on SEND questions.