Information requested by Tania Barlow

Subject: Freedom of Information request-Elective Home Education-suitable education.

Ref: 1490

Date: 25-09-09

Dear Ms Barlow,

I am writing in response to your request for information pertaining to suitable education.

First of all I would like to apologise for the delay in providing the information. Your request arrived in the school holidays and so could not be acted upon until a return to work on the 4th of September. Secondly the advisory teacher for Home Education started her maternity leave on the 14^th of July 2009. Thirdly I am covering her post until she returns and the time given to this post is 2 days a week. As these days are Thursday and Friday, I am sure you will appreciate that some tasks have had to be prioritised in the 6 days I have been in post.

I can provide the information you have requested on the basis of the register dated September the 17^th 2009.

Some of the information you have requested involves a low number of children. We have tried to provide you with as much information as possible whilst also protecting the identity of children. Any information relating to 5 or less children have not been provided as there is potential to identify a living individual and therefore exempt under Section 40 of the Freedom of information Act 2000. Where the numbers of children are below 5, we have stated `less than 5.'

On this date there were 38 young people on the register. Your figure of 54 will have included the year 11 pupils who have left and those who have returned to school in addition to children who have left the area.

1) In the case of 5 children we believe no education is taking place.

2) There are less than 5 children where it could be deemed the child is not learning enough.

3) There are less than 5 children causing concern because the education will not be structured.

4) There are less than 5 pupils where the national curriculum is not being followed.

C) In relation to category 1, less than 5 of the cases have had the SAO process begun.

D) No

E) There would only be a referral to Social Care if an Education Supervision order was served and this can only be done if the child is on roll at a school. This avenue would be pursued after an SAO was implemented and there were still issues around attendance. A Social Care referral would also be made if there were any concerns about the welfare or safeguarding of the child.

F) This would be highly unlikely as regular meetings take place with the PCT contact that does a health assessment on all children on the register and liaises with other providers. School admissions, pupil services, Social Care and Connexions share information and there are regular meetings.

If you disagree with the exemption applied to this information, you may appeal to:

Paul Entwistle

Acting Director - Legal and Democratic Services

OMBC, PO Box 33, 

Civic Centre, West Street,

Oldham OL1 1UL 

Tel 0161 911  4810  

Fax: 0161 911 5185

Email: [email address]

Should you further disagree with the decision following the appeal you may wish to contact the Office of the Information Commissioner:

Office of the Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire   SK9 5AF

http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Tel: 01625 545700             

Fax: 01625 524510