I read that you had 114 children registered as Electively Home Educated in 2009. This request concerns children currently registered as receiving EHE in Hartlepool - for the purposes of this FOI request , these children are either de-registered from a school or have never been registered with a school.
A) I would like to know of these children how many are there where the visiting person has concerns that a 'suitable' education is being provided?
As of 1 June 2009 – 125 children were known to be Electively Home Educating in Havering. 19 of these children ceased to be of statutory school age in July 2009. Havering accepts a wide interpretation of ‘suitable’ education and will support any parents who are endeavoring to home educate their children. Some excellent home education is taking place within the Authority. However, concerns existed that 14 out of 125 (11.2%) were receiving nil or very minimal education. Concern also existed regarding a further20% of families who had either failed to respond to initial and ongoing contact or have elected to home educate in the later stages of Year 11. It would appear that many of the latter group had elected for home education to avoid prosecution for non-school attendance.
B) I would also appreciate it if this information could be broken down into categories:
1. whether they feel that no education is taking place? See A. above
2. whether they feel that the philosophy of education is inadequate - for example in the case of autonomous or child led learning , that particular child is not appearing to be learning 'enough'?
3. whether there are concerns because the family have not implemented a structured approached?
4.or whether the fact that the national Curriculum is not being followed is causing concern?
Answer for 2, 3, and 4. Not appropriate to comment in general terms. Children, even within the same family, have individual needs and a wide variety of approaches are acceptable and supported. There is no necessity for Elective Home Educating families to follow the National Curriculum. However, in order to fulfill Safeguarding responsibilities towards and offer support to all children within their Local Authority, it is important that LA's are aware of children who are being Electively Home Educated and to meet with them at least once a year.
C) If there are children in the above 4 categories , please indicate if further steps are being taken- for example ,issuance of a School Attendance Order?
No School Attendance Orders (SAO) have been issued in the past year but the Local Authority would issue if was felt to be appropriate and in the public interest. Issuing an SAO would be inappropriate halfway through year 11 onwards. Where EHE appears to be proving unsatisfactory, often acknowledged both by parents, children and Home Education Advisers, then help is offered either: to improve the home education experience; seek alternative provision/courses where appropriate or receive support in seeking readmission to a school setting.
D) Please also indicate if any Education Supervision Orders are currently in court for this population.? See C. above.
E) Please can you confirm whether any children who fit into the above categories of concern about 'educational provision suitability' would also therefore be referred to Social Services?
Please see information provide by Children & Young People’s Services
F) Lastly is it possible in your Local Authority that Social Services are involved with a family but that The EHE department do not know of this involvement. (This involvement would be on an on-going basis rather than a one off referral which is found to be of no genuine concern)
Please see information provide by Children & Young People’s Services
