View your response

The information you provide in your response will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations, which allow public access to information held by the Department.

This does not necessarily mean that your response can be made available to the public as there are exemptions relating to information provided in confidence and information to which the Data Protection Act 1998 applies.

You may request confidentiality by ticking the box provided, but you should note that this will not necessarily exclude the public right of access.

View your response

Personal Details

Respondent Information Questions

Please tick the box that best describes you as a respondent.

Consultation Questions

1

Do you agree that these proposals strike the right balance between the rights of parents to home educate and the rights of children to receive a suitable education?

2

Do you agree that a register should be kept?

3

Do you agree with the information to be provided for registration?

4

Do you agree that home educating parents should be required to keep the register up to date?

5

Do you agree that it should be a criminal offence to fail to register or to provide inadequate or false information?

6 a)

Do you agree that home educated children should stay on the roll of their former school for 20 days after parents notify that they intend to home educate?

6 b)

Do you agree that the school should provide the local authority with achievement and future attainment data? 

7

Do you agree that DCSF should take powers to issue statutory guidance in relation to the registration and monitoring of home education?

8

Do you agree that children about whom there are substantial safeguarding concerns should not be home educated?

9

Do you agree that the local authority should visit the premises where home education is taking place provided 2 weeks notice is given?

Under present guidance the meeting can take place at another venue, and that has proved satisfactory in cases where that is agreed.

10

Do you agree that the local authority should have the power to interview the child, alone if this is judged appropriate, or if not in the presence of a trusted person who is not the parent/carer?

There are substantial difficulties regarding this power, as there are I understand currently no circumstances whrere this is allowed outside of the criminal justice system. I would therefore feel uncomfortable about this power to interview children alone.

11

Do you agree that the local authority should visit the premises and interview the child within four weeks of home education starting, after 6 months has elapsed, at the anniversary of home education starting, and thereafter at least on an annual basis?  This would not preclude more frequent monitoring if the local authority thought that was necessary. 

I believe that to be dependent on circumstances- under present guidance we offer visits yearly- were we to visit up to 3 times in the initial year that would substantially increase workload and may not be necessary in cases where we have no concern about the child or young person receiving an education.