NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/09/18/last-day-eotas-consultation/ some ways to get your main points across, aiming for something achievable.
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EOTAS consultation closing Friday September 18th. If you are in a position to choose – AVOID THE “EASY READ” – because in the standard version every question has a text box so you get to tell your story, whereas the “Easy Read” is often limited just to ticking a multiple choice box. NEW POST HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/09/17/eotas-consultation-easy-read-version/ includes consultation email address for DfE.
The government’s consultation on EOTAS closes on Friday September 18th. It’s entirely understandable if you feel you just don’t have headspace but if you can spare an hour or two this NEW POST might just make it possible https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/09/16/last-minute-eotas-consultation-tips/
I am posting my consultation answers online HERE https://edyourself.org/my-eotas-consultation-response-2026/ It IS a long page but you can go straight to specific answers to assist your own consultation response A1 . . . . . A2 . . . . . A4 . . . . . A7 . . . . . A8 . . . . . A9 . . . . . A10 . . . . . A11 . . . . . A12 . . . . . A13 . . . . . A14 . . . . . A15 . . . . . A16 . . . . . A17 . . . . . A19 . . . . The consultation ends this Friday September 18th [LINK]
I have put all the EOTAS consultation questions -including the multiple choice options – onto a blog post for ease of reference https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/09/11/eotas-consultation-questions-2026/
After the new SEND law comes into force, the old and new systems will have to run in parallel for a number of years, this NEW PAGE explains more about the transition arrangements for different ages https://edyourself.org/send-reform-changeover-new-system/
The government has said that when the SEND law changes, children and young people of secondary age or beyond can continue with EOTAS arrangements already in place. My NEW PAGE looks more closely at what this might mean https://edyourself.org/existing-eotas-in-send-reform/
What happens with EOTAS in future will depend on the child’s age, whether they have an EHCP already, and whether they have EOTAS in place already. My NEW PAGE provides a breakdown of various different circumstances https://edyourself.org/eotas-future-projections/
Anyone wanting to get to grips with the government’s EOTAS proposals needs to understand the implications of Specialist Provision Packages NEW PAGE https://edyourself.org/eotas-specialist-provision-packages/
Alternative provision proposals from a couple of years ago have reappeared in the EOTAS consultation as supposed answer for children unable to attend school but no longer eligible for an EHCP. New page https://edyourself.org/eotas-and-alternative-provision-future/
Tribunals and the Ombudsman almost always rule in favour of parents in SEND cases. The government is proposing to adjust the law to fix this. NEW PAGE https://edyourself.org/ehcps-and-eotas-disappearing/
During August I have been working on a series of pages related to the EOTAS consultation which closes on September 18th 2026. Read more here https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/08/31/pages-on-eotas-for-2026-consultation/
New page, 4 minute read time https://edyourself.org/eotas-consultation-changes-everything/
I have published a new post on my blog summarising the expanded use of School Attendance Orders in future https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/07/30/changes-to-school-attendance-order-law/
New page about changes to School Attendance Orders via Wellbeing Act and how it might work in practice, including where a child has special educational needs or is unable to attend school https://edyourself.org/school-attendance-order-future-law/
I have published a new page with first impressions of the EOTAS SEND consultation which closes on September 18th https://edyourself.org/eotas-send-consultation-first-impressions/
Yesterday the government launched a consultation on EOTAS as part of the wider SEND reforms. I wrote to advise parents of older children – the email can be read HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/07/11/email-eotas-families-secondary-age-or-older/
What exactly does the new law say about compulsory registration of Children Not In School? 2 NEW PAGES HERE https://edyourself.org/compulsory-registration-future-law/ + https://edyourself.org/future-sections-436b-g/ + NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/06/22/compulsory-cnis-registration-wellbeing-act/
Emails have recently been released between the Department for Education and Hammersmith & Fulham. NEW PAGE HERE https://edyourself.org/dfe-correspondence-hammersmith-fulham/
The Department for Education says there will be a consultation on EOTAS provision “in the coming weeks.” NEW POST HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/06/13/consultation-on-eotas-send-provision/
Emails have recently been released between the Department for Education and Portsmouth CC. NEW PAGE HERE https://edyourself.org/dfe-correspondence-portsmouth/
The Department for Education has answered some more questions about how home visits will work once the new measures are in place via the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. Read more HERE https://edyourself.org/home-visits-parliamentary-questions-2/
In future SOME parents will need permission from the local authority to withdraw their child from school, with the local authority deciding the child’s best interests. NEW PAGE https://edyourself.org/deregistration-future-law/
Yesterday the Minister said that mandatory local authority Children Not in School registers would be implemented in England “by the end of this Parliament”. NEW POST HERE about what that means https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/05/29/implementation-date-possibly-2029/
DfE seems to be suggesting Autumn 2028 for some of the Children Not In School measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act coming into force NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/05/22/childrens-wellbeing-schools-act-implementation-date/
The SEND consultation closes on Monday May 18th. Here are some last minute options – NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/05/16/send-consultation-options/
The deadline for responding to the special educational needs consultation is Monday May 18th. I will also be around on Saturday morning May 16th posting about the consultation and answering questions via my website contact form and on my social media. MORE INFO AND LINKS ON NEW POST HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/changes-to-special-needs-system-consultation/
The SEND Reform consultation for England closes on May 18th. I am posting my consultation answers here https://edyourself.org/send-reform-consultation-response/
New page Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 explaining why the new measures are not yet in force https://edyourself.org/childrens-wellbeing-and-schools-act-2026/
The Department for Education has answered some questions about how home visits will work – and be funded – once the new measures are in place via the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. Read more HERE https://edyourself.org/home-visits-parliamentary-questions/
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill finished ping pong on April 28th and received royal assent around 1.30 on April 29th. Read my updated post HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/04/11/wellbeing-bill-end-parliamentary-session/
Lords still pushing for final concessions from Commons on Wellbeing Bill – updated post HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/04/11/wellbeing-bill-end-parliamentary-session/ Further updated on April 24th.
I have updated my page on home educating in Wales with special educational needs to include recently issued Welsh government guidance on ALN and elective home education, also ALN and EOTAS https://edyourself.org/wales-home-educating-with-special-needs/
I have updated my page on SENDIST to include information about proposed SEND reforms reducing tribunal powers, plus the latest statistics on tribunal appeals https://edyourself.org/tribunal-for-ehcp/
I will be going to the event in LEEDS, read more here https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/04/15/national-send-day-may-9-2026/
New page about the special educational needs consultation closing on May 18th https://edyourself.org/send-reform-england/
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will change the definition of “full-time education” to bring more settings within scope of registration. NEW PAGE https://edyourself.org/regulating-independent-educational-institutions/
Given that the bill is so close to receiving royal assent, I have updated my post on what the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill means for home education https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/what-wellbeing-bill-means-for-home-education/
I have updated my post about writing to MPs. Now that the Wellbeing Bill is about to receive royal assent, we are looking ahead to what will be in regulations and guidance https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/writing-to-mp-final-stage-wellbeing-bill/
This post has been updated with more details of what will be debated in the House of Lords at ping pong for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on March 25th 2026 https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/03/06/more-on-timetable-for-ping-pong/
On Monday March 9th MPs will debate Lords’ amendments to the Wellbeing Bill. NEW PAGE https://edyourself.org/government-lords-amendments-2026/ SEE ALSO https://edyourself.org/visiting-child-at-home/ + https://edyourself.org/child-protection-plan-last-5-years/ + https://edyourself.org/pilot-mandatory-meeting/ + https://edyourself.org/less-for-register-and-less-often/
NEW post about the Wellbeing Bill returning to the Commons in March 2026 https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/02/27/wellbeing-bill-ping-pong/
NEW POST about 3rd Reading in the Lords and what happens now https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/wellbeing-bill-finished-in-lords/
After the murder of Sara Sharif in August 2023, Surrey CC carried out a safeguarding review which was published at the end of 2025. This new page looks at what the review revealed about processes in Surrey and problems with the family court system https://edyourself.org/sara-sharif/
In light of recent government amendments in the Lords and particularly the non-government amendment from shadow education minister Baroness Barran which still has to be approved by MPs in the House of Commons, I have updated my post on Sara Sharif https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/06/29/sara-sharif/
I have updated my post on Baroness Barran’s amendments with more detail about the amendment which was passed and what it means https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/late-report-amendments-baroness-barran/
The House of Lords has now finished debating Children Not In School at Report stage and looks set to complete Report by next week. This new post explains more https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/what-we-now-know-after-january-28th/
There are changes to the law being planned for home education in England and Wales, this new post explains more https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/what-wellbeing-bill-means-for-home-education/
Slow progress at day 3 of Report could have a knock-on effect for getting the Wellbeing Bill through by Easter, this post explains more https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/24/wellbeing-bill-rush-for-easter/
It was expected that the House of Lords would start debating Children Not In School on Wednesday January 21st 2026, but this did not happen, read more here https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/22/lords-didnt-get-to-cnis-jan-21st/ DEBATE WILL NOW BE ON JANUARY 28TH.
On Monday January 19th Baroness Barran tabled some late amendments for the Wellbeing and Bill, saying they were about safeguarding. NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/late-report-amendments-baroness-barran/ SEE ALSO RELEVANT LETTER FROM MINISTER ABOUT COST AND PROPORTIONALITY https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/will-write-letters-from-day-9-committee/ UPDATED DECEMBER 2025
The government will be presenting new amendments to Children Not In School for the Wellbeing Bill on Wednesday January 21st 2026. This new post explains the background and sets out some questions https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/17/questioning-new-government-amendments/
In light of recent government amendments about Child Protection Plans going back 5 years, I have updated my evidence for the Wellbeing Bill debate in the Lords around January 21st 2026 https://edyourself.org/bill-committee-evidence-january-2025/
The government has tabled amendments to the Wellbeing Bill giving local authorities the power to prevent or stop a child being home educated if there has been a Child Protection Plan in the past 5 years NEW PAGE HERE https://edyourself.org/child-protection-plan-last-5-years/
I am on a Zoom panel today – 10-5 – to discuss the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill FACEBOOK LINK HERE https://t.co/JhqvLFafhh YOUTUBE LINK HERE https://t.co/NttYnHh8TE
In future, each time regulations are changed, the Westminster parliament or the Senedd will have to look closely and vote in favour of the proposed changes, more about why this matters here https://edyourself.org/more-scrutiny-of-regulations/
The government has tabled amendments designed to reduce the reporting burden on parents for the Children Not In School register. NEW POST HERE https://edyourself.org/less-for-register-and-less-often/
On January 7th 2026 the government tabled a late amendment to the Wellbeing Bill setting out a new requirement for local authorities to consider the family home within 15 days of registration, NEW POST HERE https://edyourself.org/visiting-child-at-home/
On January 7th 2026 the government published revised policy summary notes for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill including big changes to Children Not In School clauses. NEW POST HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2026/01/08/government-changes-wellbeing-bill-january-2026/
On January 7th 2026 the government tabled amendments to the Wellbeing Bill setting out details of a pilot scheme with a limited number of local authorities requiring parent AND CHILD to meet the LA before a child could be deregistered for home education. Assuming worst case scenario this passes into law, it will probably be 2028 before this starts. NEW PAGE HERE https://edyourself.org/pilot-mandatory-meeting/
New blog post looking at amendments so far to clauses 31 and 32 tabled for Report stage in the Lords in 2026 https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/12/22/details-of-amendments-for-report/
Now we finally have dates for Report, more amendments are starting to appear. This post explains why it matters and what to expect https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/12/15/amendments-for-report-house-of-lords/
The government has announced provisional dates for Report stage of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in the New Year, read more here https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/report-stage-wellbeing-bill-lords-2026/
NEW post about not having a date yet for Report stage of the Wellbeing Bill in the Lords https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/no-date-yet-for-report-lords-wellbeing-bill/
Clause numbers have changed following committee and the bill is now awaiting report. NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/22/report-stage-lords-wellbeing-bill/
Children Missing Education guidance (England) was revised in early September 2025. My UPDATED CME PAGE is here https://edyourself.org/children-missing-education/
The government has published its response to the 2024 consultation on new standards for alternative provision. Read my UPDATED PAGE here https://edyourself.org/unregistered-alternative-provision-new-rules/
The Minister gave assurances about follow-up letters in the debate on September 2nd NEW POST HERE https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/will-write-letters-from-day-9-committee/
Tidied up transcript of my afternoon Q&A Home Ed Zoom Day with links https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/07/afternoon-qa-zoom-home-ed-day-september-6th/
Morning Zoom talk from September 6th tidied-up transcript plus links https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/07/morning-talk-zoom-home-ed-day-september-6th/
I have 2 x 15 minute slots 9.30 and 4.30 today at a public online event, more details here https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/06/all-day-zoom-lets-talk-home-education-september-6th/
Short guide to the bill with links to further pages – NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/01/wellbeing-bill-quick-guide-for-home-educators/
The Wellbeing Bill currently going through parliament would introduce a consistent identifying number for children. Read more here https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/01/unique-identifier-childrens-wellbeing-bill/
NEW post https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/08/31/changes-to-child-benefit-rules-post-16/
My updated Child Benefit page is here https://edyourself.org/child-benefit/ and my updated Universal Credit page is here https://edyourself.org/universal-credit/
On 1.9.25 the Child Benefit rules will change, removing the requirement for education otherwise than at school to have started pre-16 (hence also removing need for EHCP/IDP proof and LA approval) also adding new provision of limited hours as appropriate for illness or disability. My updated page has more details https://edyourself.org/child-benefit/
NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/08/07/lost-track-wellbeing-bill/ Where are we up to and is anyone listening, also how does it connect with controversial changes to special educational needs
Predicted shortlist for recess meeting with civil servants, plus ideas for your email https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/23/which-lords-meeting-in-august-wellbeing-bill/ NEW POST (update August 2025 this meeting actually took place at the end of July)
Who is likely to be at any meetings during recess + what will they be talking about NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/writing-to-lords-for-august-meetings/ (Update August 2025 this meeting actually took place at the end of July)
I have rewritten my main page on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill so that all posts and pages about the bill can be found in one place https://edyourself.org/childrens-wellbeing-schools-bill/
2 firm dates plus 3 provisional dates have been added for the Lords Committee scrutinising the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill NEW POST https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/lords-committee-dates-added-september/
Discussions about the Wellbeing Bill are set to continue behind the scenes during August while parliament is closed. NEW POST about why I think this is not necessarily a bad thing https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/lords-meeting-dfe-officials-august/
Multi-city events about the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will take place this coming Sunday July 13th. I am speaking at Wakefield, more details here https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/07/wakefield-event-july-13th/
I have written a new post (trying to keep it simple!) about how close the Wellbeing Bill is to becoming law https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/06/childrens-wellbeing-bill-how-close-to-law/
I have updated my page on School Attendance Order Statistics with new information about levels of fines via recent successful Ministry of Justice FOI https://edyourself.org/school-attendance-prosecution-statistics/
Government has clearly been thinking how on earth to get through business given the amount of attention required for Children Not In School. NEW POST explains more https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/04/what-happened-in-lords-july-3rd-wellbeing-bill/
Discussion of a bill in parliament is by suggesting improvements (amendments) NEW POST – translation of Children Not In School amendments tabled for House of Lords July 3rd https://edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/07/02/decoding-amendments-clause-30-wellbeing-bill/