Agenda item

To seek assurance that children who are elective home educated are being effectively safeguarded/educated.

The Chair welcomed Marie Boswell, Deputy Head of Access to Education to the meeting who presented the item in conjunction with the Head of Access to Education.

Cllr Watson briefly introduced the item and highlighted some of the challenges of ensuring that children who were electively home educated received a good standard of education. Elective Home Education (EHE) was the term used to describe a legal choice by parents to provide education for their children at home - or in some other way which they choose - instead of sending them to school full-time. This was different to education provided by a local authority (LA) otherwise than at a school - for example, tuition for children who are too ill to attend school.

The Head of Access to Education outlined that the Department for Education Guidance was being refreshed and the Directorate would be consulting with parents and other stakeholders on a revised policy in due course.

An overview was given on the role of EHE Officers who conducted home visits to discuss the education a child in EHE was receiving and review samples of work, progress made and future plans. Where there were concerns about the suitability of the education being provided the EHE Officer discussed alternative options with parents/carers e.g. amendments that could be made to improve the education being provided or returning to mainstream or other education setting.

The EHE team was part of a regional network which co-ordinated responses to consultation. However there was no requirement to collate and publish data in relation to EHE so there is little in the way of comparative data available. It was reported that EHE team linked into

the Operational and Strategic Missing Groups. 

The Officers outlined areas of concerns (what are we worried about) and actions to address these concerns (what are we going to do about it).

There had been a rise in the number of parents requesting information about EHE or considering alternatives to current schools. Without sufficient EHE Officer capacity to discuss issues rapidly, local knowledge and school admissions/other service links, many families would have elected to home educate without a full understanding of the implications of this decision or the education options and support available to them, often at a time of crisis. It was highlighted that a small, but increasing number of families had declined EHE Officer visits or refused to send actual evidence in support that their child was receiving a ‘suitable education’ when requested.

Parents did not have to inform the Local Authority if they chose to home educate. Current legislation appeared to conflict with other Government strategies for protecting the rights of children.  Although the legislation had not changed, the new, clearer Guidance to LA’s and parents was welcomed.

Concerns were raised about access to public examinations. Whilst progress to further education (FE) and training without evidence of qualifications was possible, children may be disadvantaged if they are required to evidence academic achievement for other employment or training.

Rotherham had had its first formal case of a primary school agreeing to a Flexi-Schooling arrangement with a family starting on a trial basis in late Summer 2018. Flexi-Schooling was legal and was at the discretion of the headteacher and governors. A Flexi-Schooled child remains solely on the school roll. School maintains full responsibility for outputs and achievements but an agreement with parents was in place about the times when a child was educated by the parents.

In respects of actions to support improvement it was outlined that staff capacity was monitored to ensure that EHE Officers can act as quickly as possible to give advice to parents about EHE and other options. Liaison with Local Colleges and Early Help Services in relation to Y10/11 children, was undertaken to support progress and transition to post 16 education or training. A watching brief was maintained in relation to regional and national forums and Rotherham continued to contribute to consultation, changes to legislation and research.

Members queried if there had been any identifiable trends in the rise in EHE applications. It was outlined that none had been identified but this was monitored. A further query was raised in relation to how children were prepared for transition into adult life and work and/or education. The links with colleges and the work undertaken with parents to ensure transition readiness were explained, however it was stressed that engagement was through parental choice.

In response to a query about monitoring progress, the Local Authority was not allowed to undertake formal assessment. However, through regular visits, judgements were made about progress albeit on an informal basis. If EHE students progressed to post-16 provision, outcomes were monitored through formal routes. Those not in education, employment or training were recorded under ‘NEETs’ data and preventative measures put in place to support them.

Assurance was sought that measures were in place to properly safeguard children and if concerns were raised (for example around radicalisation), these could be escalated appropriately. Members referred to the death of a child in Wales who had been home educated and asked if any learning had been applied from this tragic event. In response assurance was given about the purpose and scope of the Overview and Accountability Group and its links to safeguarding, health and early help services.

The Deputy Head of Access to Education stressed the importance of building and maintaining relationships with parents within the boundaries of legislation relating to elective home education. It was outlined that parents could refuse access however, if safeguarding concerns were raised these would be escalated appropriately.

The Chair reflected on the challenge of parental rights to home educated and the local authority’s responsibilities for safeguarding. There was assurance that there were good levels of information sharing between agencies.  The Chair shared concerns in relation to the limitations of legislation and commented that these should be addressed at a national level. Officers were thanks for their work and for the report.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2) That an update is provided at the end of the 2019/20 academic year.