Elective Home Education

Over the last 4 years the number of Warwickshire children registered with the local authority as home educated has seen a steep increase from 172 in 2011/12 to 539 in 2015/16. Current registrations for 2016/17 are at 399 with enquiries and registrations continuing to grow.

This increase includes a significant rise in the numbers children who present as vulnerable; children with complex emotional and behavioural needs, children (and often parents) with mental health issues, children with poor attendance whose parents are at risk of prosecution, children who are at risk of permanent exclusion from school, parents choosing to home educate while waiting for a school of their choice, and parents who report dissatisfaction with school.

In April 2016 following a Serious Case Review, the local authority implemented a more robust service delivery model which prioritises the safety of home-educated children. Schools are asked to share detailed information about the child via the School Exit Form before the child is taken off roll. Schools are asked to encourage parents to have a 2 week cooling off period. During this time the local authority will talk to parents to understand the reasons for the decision to home educate.

Home visits are always offered and in many cases parents are happy to welcome us into their home and work with us. Priority is given to ensuring that all children are seen to be safe, especially those known to be at risk. Home visits and registration with the local authority are entirely voluntary, we cannot insist unless there is a concern for the child’s well-being and safety.

Parents of children not receiving adequate education will be supported by the local authority to make improvements within agreed timescales. Legal action via a school attendance order (SAO) is an option for the local authority should the parent fail to provide a suitable full time education to their child. Warwickshire is now looking to pursue this option with the legal team although local authorities appear to have limited success with pursuing the SAO route. 

Information for parents wanting to home educate can be found on our website; professionals working in education will find it informative and helpful. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/homeeducation

We expect schools to signpost parents to the following services before electing to home educate so that they can make an informed decision:

SEND Information, Advice & Support Service (SENDIAS)- email: wias@family-action.org.uk , or phone 0247676366054 during normal office hours.

Family Information Service (FIS) - http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis

For further advice or guidance about home education please contact the Access to Education Team on

T: 01926 736323

E: ehe@warwickshire.gov.uk

Further information and key documents:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/elective-home-education

Warwickshire School Exit Form

Warwickshire Family Information Form