Agenda item

Considered –

A presentation by Sarah Fawcett, Inclusive Education Service and Jane Le Sage, Assistant Director Inclusion from the Children’s and Young People Service regarding elective home education.

The key points from the presentation are as summarised below:

·         The numbers of children in elective home education has risen steadily over since 2017/18 and the pandemic and concerns about risk of transmission in schools has accelerated this rise

·         The was a significant increases in notifications for elective home education during the Autumn term, which coincided the return to school after a sustained period of home schooling nationally

·         The experience of home education during successive lockdowns may have increased the number of parents and carers actively considering elective home education

·         In many cases, the reasons for elective home education remain the same, despite the pandemic: bullying; anxiety; exclusions; and poor attendance

·         It is anticipated that the numbers of children in elective home education will fall as the national vaccination programme progresses

·         The Council has a duty to ensure all children in North Yorkshire are receiving an efficient, suitable full time education

·         Where a parent/carer has stated that they want their child to be home educated, then the Council will meet with both the parent/carer and the school to discuss and go through the options available

·         There are four Elective Home Education Advisors who work with families to support them and to ensure that the criteria of an efficient, suitable full time education is being met.

There followed a discussion with the key points as summarised below:

·         The Council has a role to play is keeping in touch with those children who are not in school and ensure that they are safe and continuing to receive a suitable education.  The EHE Advisor is key to this

·         Some concerns were expressed about the lack of social contact experienced by a child being home educated compared to a child in school.  It was felt that this key part of a child’s overall education could be missing in many cases

·         It is not possible to compel parents and carers to engage with the Council concerning the home education of their children.  The EHE Advisors work hard to ensure that they build a strong relationship with parents and carers

·         The limits upon our powers of intervention is frustrating and fresh Government guidance that gives the local authority greater leeway to intervene would be welcomed.

County Councillor Caroline Goodrick whether the delays to the assessment of children with autism had contributed to the rise in elective home education over time.

In response, Jane Le Sage said that there may be a link but that every effort was made to engage with parents and carers at the pre-decision stage and to look at what options are available.

Sarah Fawcett said that there was a need to take into account the views of children and the life that they want to lead after school and then use that the inform the decisions made.

County Councillor Mike Chambers MBE summed up and thanked officers for an interesting and informative presentation and for taking the time to attend and answer the questions of the committee.

Resolved –

a.    An update to be provided in 12 months, with a focus upon the number of children who are in elective home education and the work being done by the EHE Advisors with those families that have chosen to home educate.