EOTAS placements are for children and young people who are in temporary provision or in no current provision. These are similar to therapeutic placements in practice, with the addition of therapy and teaching time and guided learning throughout the placements, working towards accredited learning and/or qualifications individualised to each young person. This may include support readiness for learning across a spectrum of subject areas, and undertaking functional skills learning and qualifications, along with e.g. the AQA Unit Awards, NCFE functional skills or Preparation for Life and Work units.

Further information:

EOTAS placements (10Yrs+) are usually for children and young people who are in part time, temporary or no current provision, particularly suitable for children and young people with high anxiety, history of school phobias or struggling with ‘school like’ environments. These are similar to therapeutic placements in practice, with the addition of therapeutic input, teaching time and guided learning throughout the placements. It is not an Education provision, however, depending on need and readiness to learn, preparation for learning skills are taught and may include some  elements of core education to build resilience and confidence.  This type of provision is particular beneficial for children and young people that may have been out of education due to severe anxiety and/or looking to add to a creative education/care package that allows for recovery and re-engaging with a provision following a period of isolation.

All children and young people on EOTAS packages will have the opportunity to engage on one or more of the following learning pathways:

The Creativity Pathway: Learners choose from a range of media to complete projects which can form a portfolio for entry into The Arts Mark Award.

The Equine Pathway: Learners work on outcomes which support progress towards BHS Level One, in addition to general horse care and benefitting from the therapeutic value of working with equines.

The Land Maintenance Pathway: Learners work on a range of practical projects, building skills in areas such as fencing, repairing animal enclosures, improving facilities on the farm and using a range of tools. A portfolio of AQA certificates in built up with the potential to be used as evidence for an accredited certificate from NOCN.

The Animal Care Pathway: Learners complete a range of animal care activities and build skills including how to handle animals safely, how to feed animals and how to manage their living environments. Learners build a portfolio of AQA unit awards which can be used to provide evidence towards an accredited certificate from NOCN.

Depending on age and needs, children and young people are able to work towards a range of qualifications in these areas, supported by the completion of AQA unit awards. For some young people, the EOTAS placement is a stepping stone towards being able to access an education provision, for others it is part of a bespoke EHCP package. Every young person and placement is different depending on the young person’s circumstance.

Therapeutic Input: All learners benefit from our universal model of therapeutic intervention. Staff are trained in using a trauma-informed approach. All children and young people are assessed by the therapy team on entry to the provision and may receive a targeted or specialist level of intervention, depending on need.

When we have older young people have on EOTAS provision the aim is to support transition to apprenticeships, internships, work or further education.

Full day timings for EOTAS is 09:30-15:00. EOTAS placements tend to vary from 2-4 full days per week.