Independent Review of Home Education in England
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire about processes
for supporting and monitoring home education. You may find it helpful to read
through the questionnaire before attempting to complete it. Click on the box
to select your option and it will put a cross in. The text boxes are expandable,
you need to start typing in the grey boxes.
Completion of the questionnaire
is entirely voluntary. Responses will be completely confidential and used
only for the purposes of the independent review.
The Government is committed to ensuring that systems for keeping children
safe are as robust as possible. As part of this continuing commitment, an
independent review of home education will assess whether the right systems
are in place for ensuring that home educated children have access to the five
Every Child Matters outcomes. This includes whether Government should do
more to support local authorities in discharging their duties in relation to home
educated children. The full terms of reference for the review are available on-
line at www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/ete/homeeducation
As organisations responsible for ensuring the safety, wellbeing and education
of children and young people in your localities, we very much value your input
into this review.
Please note, the Director of Children’s Services and Lead Member for
Children and Young People are asked to sign off the response to this
questionnaire before submitting it.
Please return your completed questionnaire by
Friday 6 February to
[email address]
Or by post to:
Elizabeth Green
Home Education Review
DCSF
Level 2
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BT
Thank you for taking time to respond to these questions.
If you have any queries about this form, please phone Elizabeth Green on 020
79256898.
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Section One – About your local authority
Name of LA
Staffordshire
Tel. No of main contact
01785 278 265
E-mail of main contact
[email address]
Would you be willing to take part in the next phase of the
Yes
research in March (including in-depth interviews with key
personnel in your organisation)?
1.
Who is involved in supporting and monitoring home educated
children within the local authority and other agencies?
Team with main responsibility -
List all teams / professionals involved
Support
Monitoring
Elective Home Education Service &
Elective Home Education Service.
West Midlands Consortium Services SEN Assessment Team - annual
for Travelling Children, Schools and
review for those youngsters in reciept
Families.
of annual / transition reviews
Connexions Staffordshire - Sept
guarantee & Transitional Reviews
(SEN)
Describe how you ensure collaboration and communication between these
teams / individuals
Joint meetings. Inclusion Manager line manages both services. EHE co-
ordinator and team members meet to review and share intellignce data and
work on effective partnership approaches ie alternative provision for yr 10 & 11
youngsters.t Section Two – Data and Tracking
2.
How many children are currently home educated in your local
authority?
Phase
Registered with LA
Non-registered children
Primary age
98
reportedly 25% unknown
Secondary age 161
reportedly 25% unknown
2
Total
259
unknown
3.
Are these figures accurate or based on estimates?
Accurate
Where do you get this data from? Capita "ONE" centrally stores the details of known EHE children and Young
People. Supporting and underpinnig this is a rigourous database within Excel .
How do you know this data is accurate? Fortnightly checks are undertaken by EHE manager and Admin Officer to
ensure details are accurate. At the end of the accademic year annual data is
collected in an agreed format with other Local Authorities (voluntarily)
Estimate
What data have you used to arrive at this figure?(List all sources
4.
How confident are you in the accuracy of this data ?
Very confident
Fairly confident
Don’t know
Not very confident
Not at all confident
3
5.
How often does the local authority get updated data?
List frequency for each source separately
Travellers - annually (+ as and when during school terms); admissions
and EWS / Connexions referrals
4
6.
Thinking about your home educated population, what proportions
have the following characteristics? Please say whether these figures are
based on estimates or accurate data.
Characteristic
Proportion
Choose option
Statement for SEN
4.2
Estimate
Non-statemented SEN
95.8
Estimate
Gypsy, Roma, Traveller heritage
12.3
Estimate
Other BME Group
(please state below) 4.2
Estimate
•
Estimate
•
Estimate
•
Estimate
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7.
Do you believe the local authority knows about all the home
educated children in your area?
Yes, we are confident we know about all home educated
children in the area
We think we know about the vast majority of home educated
children in the area
We probably do not know about a fair number of home educated
children in the area
We probably do not know about a significant proportion of home
educated children in the area
8.
Do you think that you will be better able to track children in your
area in the near future? E.g. planned changes to your own systems,
ContactPoint, other system improvements?
Yes
Why do you think that?
There will be a number of families who would be willing to engage with
the local authority……but… (see below)
No
Why do you think that?
BUT….A number of families will not want to work with the local authority and
will invoke "shielding" for their children and also want to hide behind the non-
statutory guidance ie not enable the LA to discuss arrangements with
child/young person. It will therefore be impossible to ensure that CYP is
achieving the ECM outcomes. Safeguarding a major issue!!!!!!!!
Don’t know
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Section Three – Supporting Home Educating Families
9.
How does the local authority ensure families know about their
rights and responsibilities in relation to home education?
List all approaches used
The local authority produces guidance notes to parents, which are
distributed when enquiries are made and also when EHE registration
commences. This information is also available as downloadable
documentation website www.sln.org.uk/home . The information is
reviewed annually.
10.
What support does your local authority provide to home
educating families?
List all forms of support offered
Telephone advice / EHE Welcome Pack/ Connexions Service
information, Immunisation Schedule, E-safety guidance for parents;
voluntary EHE groups.
EHE consultants liaise with families to undertake periodic reviews.
Partnership support also available EWS /Parent Partnership and Social
Care.
Parents complete " customer satisfaction" evaluations:
Were you happy with the visit?
Was the visit helpful?
How confident do you fee to continue education at home?
How could we improve our service?
The EHE website :
http://education.staffordshire.gov.uk/Curriculum/Services/HomeEducati
on/ provides:- curricullum online subect information ; useful weblinks
to voluntary EHE groups; details of study guide resources (CGP); NHS
link; E safey ( mediated social networking ); GCSE advice ( exam
boards) exam t/table; employing a private tutor; free resources ie
Ordanance Survey Maps ;
11.
How does the local authority let families know about the services
provided to support them in home educating their children?
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List all approaches used
Telephone advice / EHE Welcome Pack/ Connexions Service
information, Immunisation Schedule, E-safety guidance for parents;
voluntary EHE groups. EHE consultants liaise with families to
undertake periodic reviews. Partnership support also available EWS
/Parent Partnership and Social Care.
Section Four – Assessment and Monitoring
12. Following the initial assessment visit, are further monitoring visits
made to a home educated child?
Yes
No
Don’t know
12a. If yes, how often, on average, are these carried out?
More than twice a year
How often?
Twice a year
Once a year
Less than once a year
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Additional comments
Generally EHE reviews are undertaken annually, however where there
are some concerns then twice a year. Where there are serious concerns
monthly reviews are undertaken until the provision improves. If the
provision is not satisfactory then a referral to EWS for SAO
13.
On average, how often is the child seen when a visit is made?
Always, at each visit
Usually, but not always
Sometimes
Never
Depends on the child / circumstances
Please describe
There are occasions when parents elect not to have a visit/meeting, but
instead provide a retrospective record of activities undertaken. On other
occasions the CYP is not present at a meeting (travellers). With the roll
out of ContactPoint some parents have refused any "further contact"!!!
14.
If the child is seen, where is s/he usually seen?
In the home
At the home, but do not go inside
Another venue
Please specifiy libraries cafes
Depends on the child / circumstances
Please describe
15.
If you are not permitted access to a child, is any further action
taken?
Yes
No
Don’t know
15a. If yes, what further steps are taken?
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EWS are informed to establish what arrangements the family are making. If
EWS is not able to establish the whereabouts and cannot be satisfied then the
CYP details would be added to CME register - A "Safe and Well check" may
be carried out where no contact at all - via policePlease describe
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16.
How is the ‘suitability’ of the education provided to the child
assessed?
Please describe
Parents are able to provide documentary evidence which demonstrated
that their CYP is engaged in a range of activities - the evidence can be
written verbal electronic or graphic. The CYP ought to be acquiring new
and varied opportunities to further develop their personal learning,
knowledge and thinking skills and understanding.
Particular emphasis should be upon reading, writing, mathematics, ICT,
creative and problem solving / project work.
An opportunity for the CYP to discuss their achievments and match with
parents aspirations. The EHE provision should be well resources.
Staffordshire County Council feels that on its own no EHE philosophy is
enough, and that further evidence of an endorsement is required.
17.
Is the local authority clear about what the definition of a ‘suitable
education’ is?
Yes
Why is that?
No
Why is that?
There are no national set standards.
18.
Does the local authority have systems in place to track the
educational progress of home educated children?
Yes
No
Don’t know
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If yes, please describe the system
Within Staffordshire the EHE co-ordinator reviews all contact records
before these are distributed to parents or stored electronically.
Descriptors which indicate the progress of a child are written into the
record :
EHE Team – educational provision at home: concluding judgements.
Officer & Parental Guidance for Frequency of contact.
Judgement
Descriptor
1.
Exceeds Expectations
Annual review only: parents provide a good match which meets the
child’s age, aptitude, and ability; personalised learning.
2.
Satisfactory
Some recommendations made; annual review with the possibility of
interim phone call(s) to ensure continuity and progression.
3.
Some Concerns
Lack of evidence in a variety of provision i.e. drafted/redrafted written
work; graphic / annotated drawings; photographic portfolio/record;
video; practical demonstration / presentation or demonstrate any flair /
expertise / strength.
Detailed advice given (interim review 3-6 months).
4.
Serious Concerns
Complex case where other agencies are involved or may need to
engage.
Lack of intent / purpose / direction / resourcefulness.
“The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to
receive efficient full-time education suitable;
a]
to his age, ability and aptitude and
b]
to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular
attendance at school, or otherwise.
Section 437 to 443 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on the Local
Authority to take action if it appears that a child / young person is not
receiving a “suitable education”.
“If it appears that the child/ young person is not receiving suitable
education, either by regular attendance at school, or otherwise,…[the
local education authority] shall serve a notice, in writing, on the parent
requiring him to satisfy…..that the child is receiving such education”.
Detailed requirements outlined (review within a month)
5.
Non Engagement Referral to EWS / CME / Missing
Children. EHE ceases.
Recommendations for year 10 /11:
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In Yr 10 undertake work experience / seek advice from
Staffordshire Connexions.
Register with HEAS or Education Otherwise for advice on examinations
centres.
Establish college links - continue to review educational progress on an
annual basis unless feedback from colleges indicates otherwise.
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19.
Of the home educated children in your area of whom you have
knowledge, what proportion in your estimation are receiving a suitable,
full time (20hrs a week) education?
Please describe
80%
20.
Does the local authority take any further steps if a home educated
child’s education was found to be unsuitable or not full time?
Yes
No
Don’t know
20a. If yes, what steps are then taken?
Please describe
4.
Serious Concerns
Complex case where other agencies are involved or may need to
engage.
Lack of intent / purpose / direction / resourcefulness.
“The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to
receive efficient full-time education suitable;
a]
to his age, ability and aptitude and
b]
to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular
attendance at school, or otherwise.
Section 437 to 443 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on the Local
Authority to take action if it appears that a child / young person is not
receiving a “suitable education”.
“If it appears that the child/ young person is not receiving suitable
education, either by regular attendance at school, or otherwise,…[the
local education authority] shall serve a notice, in writing, on the parent
requiring him to satisfy…..that the child is receiving such education”.
Detailed requirements outlined (review within a month)
5.
Non Engagement Referral to EWS / CME / Missing
Children. EHE ceases.
21.
Does the local authority face any challenges in assessing whether
home educated children receive a suitable education?
Yes
No
Don’t know
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If yes, please describe challenges and what you think could be done to
overcome these
Avoidance tactics by some parents which mean that the LA cannot see
the child or the learning environment.
It should be a requirement that parents must register and agree to
undertake a review of their provision by a LA EHE officer where the child
is also presnet and can desribe their achievements.
A Statutory code of practice ought to support the rights of the child and
the responsibilities of parents and Local authorities.
22.
Thinking about your local area, in the last five years1, how many
cases have you come across that use the premise of home education as
a ‘cover’ for child abuse, forced marriage or other aspects of child
neglect?
Please specify number2
Additional comments
Please include the number of Serious Case Reviews you know about that have a home
education element
23.
Do you think the current system for safeguarding children who
are educated at home is adequate?
Yes
Why do you think that?
No
Why do you think that?
A child may never been seen; the Education Act does not require this!
1 Since January 2003
2 NB – this data will not be aggregated or used in any other way. This data will provide an
overall sense of the scale of this issue.
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Where the local authority may have undertaken regular reviews there are no
guarantees that once these have taken place that the CYP would be safe until
the next review!
Don’t know
24.
Do you think that home educated children in your local authority
are able to achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes?
Yes
Please say why for each of the five outcomes.
Be healthy
If this an intergral part of the parents philosophy / approach and they
have the resources, then it would be planned for, they would know how
to achieve this.
Stay safe
If this an intergral part of the parents philosophy / approach and they
have the resources, then it would be planned for, they would know how
to achieve this.
Enjoy and achieve
If this an intergral part of the parents philosophy / approach and they
have the resources, then it would be planned for, they would know how
to achieve this.
Make a positive contribution
If this an intergral part of the parents philosophy / approach and they
have the resources, then it would be planned for, they would know how
to achieve this.
Achieve economic well-being
If this an intergral part of the parents philosophy / approach and they have the
resources, then it would be planned for, they would know how to achieve this.
No
Please say why for each of the five outcomes.
Be healthy
Where parents do not have the necessary knowledge, understanding or
coaching skills they will struggle - certain complex cases will require
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multi agency support.
Stay safe
Where parents do not have the necessary knowledge, understanding or
coaching skills they will struggle - certain complex cases will require
multi agency support.
Enjoy and achieve
Where parents do not have the necessary knowledge, understanding or
coaching skills they will struggle - certain complex cases will require
multi agency support.
Make a positive contribution
Where parents do not have the necessary knowledge, understanding or
coaching skills they will struggle - certain complex cases will require
multi agency support.
Achieve economic well-being
Where parents do not have the necessary knowledge, understanding or
coaching skills they will struggle - certain complex cases will require multi
agency support.
25.
Do you think there should be any changes made to the current
system for supporting home educated families?
Yes
What should they be?
Access to resources - facillities in school / sports halls/ Extended services - an
entitlement
No
Why do you think that?
Don’t know
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26.
Do you think there should be any changes made to the current
system for monitoring home educating families and ensuring that home
educated children are able to achieve the five outcomes?
Yes
What should they be?
All CYP are registered and monitored - parents have a duty to demonstrate
how there child is recvieving a suitable and efficient education to cover the
key areas of:
A
All ages (5-16)
•
Understanding English, communication and languages
•
Mathematical understanding
•
Scientific and technological understanding
•
Human, social and environmental understanding
•
Understanding physical health and well-being
•
Understanding the arts and design.
B
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills - to be considered during Key
Stage 3 & 4
Independent enquirer - process and evaluate information in their
investigations, planning what to do and how to go about it; take informed and
well-reasoned decisions, recognising that others have different beliefs and
attitudes.
Reflective learners -evaluate their strengths and limitations, setting
themselves realistic goals with criteria for success; monitor their own
performance and progress, inviting feedback from others and making changes
to further their learning.
Self manager - organise themselves, showing personal responsibility,
initiative, creativity and enterprise with a commitment to learning and self-
improvement; actively embrace change, responding positively to new
priorities, coping with challenges and looking for opportunities.
Team worker - work confidently with others, adapting to different contexts and
taking responsibility for their own part; listen to and take account of different
views; form collaborative relationships, resolving issues to reach agreed
outcomes.
Creative thinker - think creatively by generating and exploring ideas, making
original connections; try different ways to tackle a problem, working with
others to find imaginative solutions and outcomes that are of value.
Effective participator - actively engage with issues that affect them and those
around them; play a full part in the life of their home, college, workplace or
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wider community by taking responsible action to bring improvements for
others as well as themselves.
Parents should give some thought of how they can best present evidence of
learning of A , and B, so that the local authority can be satisfied that the child
is receiving a suitable education. For instance this could be as
•
drafted/redrafted written work;
•
graphic / annotated drawings;
•
photographic portfolio/record;
•
video;
•
Practical demonstration / presentation or demonstrate any flair /
expertise / strength.
•
Third party testimonials
•
Reading log
•
Project(s)
No
Why do you think that?
Don’t know
Thank you for taking time to respond to these questions.
Please return your completed questionnaire, by
Friday 6 February to
[email address] or by post to the address on page
one. If you are returning the questionnaire electronically, please add the
name of the DCS and Lead Member in the signature box.
Declaration
I agree that the information supplied in this questionnaire is a true reflection of
practice in this local authority.
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Signed Peter Traves
Date 10
February 2009
Director of Children’s Services
Signed Peter Beresford
Date 10
February 2009
Lead Member for Children
The information you have provided may be subject to the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. 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 may not exclude the public right of
access.
Please tick if you want to keep your response confidential
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