Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of piloting council-funded, low-arousal community hubs for children receiving Education Otherwise Than at School, including the provision of sensory facilities and access to specialist education and therapeutic professionals; and whether her Department has considered using existing Family Hubs as a basis for such a pilot.

The government is consulting on proposals to improve support for children and young people who receive education outside a school or further education setting, known as Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS). The consultation, which closes on 18 September 2026, seeks views from children, young people, parents, carers and professionals.

The consultation includes proposals to strengthen decision making, oversight and accountability arrangements for EOTAS, helping to ensure that children and young people receive suitable education and support that meets their needs. The department recognises the importance of ensuring that children receiving EOTAS can access appropriate educational and therapeutic support.

As part of the consultation, we welcome a wide range of views on how support for children and young people receiving EOTAS can best be delivered, including access to educational and therapeutic services. We will carefully consider all responses, including any responses about how low-arousal community hubs and Family Hubs can support children receiving EOTAS, before deciding on the next steps.