One of the most common questions we hear from families considering alternatives to mainstream education is: “Could online homeschooling work for my child who has an EHCP?”
It’s a big decision – especially if the regular school environment isn’t meeting your child’s needs. In this blog, we’ll explore how an online school can support learners with EHCPs, what the rules around funding are, and when online education may be the right path to consider.
What is an EHCP – and how does it relate to learning from home?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that sets out the support a child or young person with special educational needs or disabilities should receive. It’s available for those up to the age of 25 and covers support across education, health and social care. And as of January 2024, the number of EHC plans in place was 576,474.
Sometimes, the right support can be delivered well in a mainstream or specialist school. But when things still aren’t working – even after the school has tried to help – parents often start to look at other options, such as online learning or home education.
We’re seeing more and more parents exploring EHCP homeschooling as a personalised alternative for their children, especially when traditional schools can’t meet EHCP needs. This often reflects both the shortage of suitable school places and the growing need for personalised, flexible learning environments.
Why online homeschooling can work well for students with EHCPs
Every child is different, but we’ve worked with many students who’ve really thrived in an online school setting. Here are a few reasons why it can be a good fit for some learners with EHCPs:
A calmer, more flexible learning environment
For children who experience sensory sensitivities, anxiety, ADHD or other neurodivergent needs, a busy school setting can sometimes be overwhelming. Learning online from home can reduce those sensory challenges and social pressures – giving your child more space to focus and feel comfortable in a setting that’s familiar and safe.
Small class sizes and more focused support
Our online KS3 and GCSE classes are kept small – with no more than nine students in a group. This means our teachers can get to know each child, spot where support is needed and adjust the pace or content to suit. For students with EHCPs, this individual attention can make a huge difference to both confidence and progress.
Learning at the right pace
Some students need extra time to revisit certain topics, while others may fly ahead in a subject they love. Online learning can be much more flexible when it comes to pace and scheduling – something that’s not always possible in a busy classroom.
It’s not just about academics
Many EHCPs cover more than just education- including things like help with emotional regulation, therapy sessions or communication support. A common concern is that this support might be lost if a child switches to online learning, but that doesn’t have to be the case. With the right approach and structure in place, online education can work alongside your child’s existing therapies and services.
How does funding work for home education and EHCPs?
One of the most confusing parts of navigating EHCP and homeschooling – especially when considering online education – is understanding how funding works. Here are the basics:
If you choose to home educate your child – known as Elective Home Education (EHE) – you, as the parent or carer, take full responsibility for their education. That includes any costs for tutors, online schools, or exams. This applies even if your child has an EHCP, unless your Local Authority (LA) agrees to support the arrangement.
But there are exceptions – and this is where getting the terminology around ECHP and home education right is important.
If your Local Authority agrees that a school setting is not suitable for your child, and that education should happen somewhere else instead, then it becomes what’s known as Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS). In EOTAS cases, the LA is still responsible for making sure your child’s EHCP is delivered – and this may include funding for an online school, therapy, or even 1:1 teaching, depending on what’s outlined in their plan.
Can you use your child’s EHCP to choose an online school?
Not automatically. But you do have the right to ask that your preferred school (including an online provider) is named in the EHCP. The LA must seriously consider your request and can only refuse it for specific reasons – for example, if they believe it would cost too much or wouldn’t meet your child’s needs.
That’s why it’s really important to stay in close contact with your child’s SEN caseworker. If you feel online learning would better support what’s in your child’s EHCP, it helps to discuss this early on and explain why it’s a better fit.
In some cases, families have worked with LAs to use personal budgets or notional funding to support online learning – but this needs to be agreed ahead of time as part of your child’s plan.
Thinking about online schooling? Here are some next steps to consider
Talk to your LA early
If you’re hoping to use EHCP funding or need to update the plan to include online provision, you’ll need their input from the start.
Be clear on the difference between EHE and EOTAS
This affects who’s responsible for funding and what legal entitlements your child has.
Explore your options
We offer free trial lessons so your child can experience online learning before any decisions are made.
Remember, you’re not on your own
Online schools like TLC LIVE are here to work with you, not replace you. We’re here to support families when traditional schools aren’t meeting a child’s needs.
Final thoughts: Do what works for your child
Finding the right learning environment for a child with an EHCP isn’t always straightforward -especially when the local school system can’t provide what’s needed.
In these cases, online education isn’t just a convenient option. It can offer the calm, flexible and supportive setting your child needs to thrive.
With a laptop, a quiet corner at home, and the right team behind them, many students can really grow into their potential – learning at their own pace and in ways that actually make sense for them.
If you’re wondering whether this could work for your child, we’re here to talk it through. Whether you’re in the early stages of exploring options or already deep into EHCP reviews and meetings, our experienced team can walk you through what online learning involves – and help you figure out if it’s the right next step.