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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'EHE department -suitable education'.

Reply re Freedom Of Information Request- Suitable Education

We currently have 64 children registered as Elective Home Education, the number you quote included those who have come to the end of the period for compulsory education and came off the register on the last Friday in June.

  1. A `suitable' education is being provided in most cases

  1. Where there are concerns these are usually as a result of not having met with the children and in one case, where the visiting person has not met with the family but has received evidence of work undertaken. It is not for the visiting officer to judge the `philosophy' of the education provision and under current guidelines there is no guide as to what constitutes `learning enough'. Under current guidelines a home educating family does not have to implement a `structured approach' nor do they have to follow the National Curriculum. These issues are not in themselves reasons for concern but would lead to closer monitoring to determine that what is being provided is suitable to the age, aptitude and ability of the child involved.

  1. If it was considered that a `suitable' education was not being provided then recommendations would be made to the family to ameliorate provision and a period of time to implement. If after this time the provision was still deemed not suitable then further action would be taken which could include a School Attendance Order.

  1. There are no Education Supervision Orders currently in court.

  1. Cases would only be referred to Social Services if there were concerns regarding the child's safety and welfare and particularly if the child had not been seen.

F) We are a Children and Young Peoples' Department which incorporates the duties both for Elective Home Education support and Safeguarding, information is effectively and proactively shared across the Department to ensure compliance with the Every Child Matters Agenda and statutory Safeguarding responsibilities.