Impact of proposed home education legislation

Dear Sir/Madam

REF NO: 1483.1.

Thank you for your recent enquiry, received on 20 September 2009. I can
confirm that your enquiry is receiving attention and a response will be
provided within 20 working days following receipt of your enquiry as
allowed under the Freedom of Information Act legislation.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will
let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

Please do not hesitate to contact me direct on (01642) 729696 or email
foi@middlesbrough. gov.uk should you require any further advice or
assistance with this or any other matter.

Yours sincerely

Steph Robson
Freedom Of Information Officer

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Dear Sir/Madam

REF NO: 1483.1.
I am writing to confirm that Middlesbrough Council has now completed its
search for the information you requested on 20 September 2009.

In your request you asked for the following information:

In the wake of Graham Badman's review of Elective Home Education, the
Government is planning to introduce legislation to register,monitor and
support home educated children.

It is clear that this legislation will have financial and staffing impacts
upon local authorities and yet the Government has made it equally clear
that no extra funding will be made available to local councils to fulfil
their new responsibilities.
In the light of the expected impact of this proposed legislation:
Q(a) Has it been formally discussed by the committees of elected
councillors responsible for education, children's social care, finance or
any other relevant department?

Response: No
Q(b) Has it been formally discussed by the officers responsible for
education, children's social care, finance or any other relevant
department?
Response: Yes, it has been discussed by officers with operational
responsibility for the LA Home Ed monitoring
Q(c) Have the committees responsible for education, children's social
care, finance or any other relevant department taken part in the
Government consultation into the Proposed legislation, which ends on 19
October 2009?3
Response: No

Q(d) Have the unelected local authority officers responsible for
education, children's social care, finance or any other relevant
department taken part in the Government
consultation into the proposed legislation, which ends on 19 October 2009?

Response: Yes
Q(e) If the councillors or officers have not taken part in the
consultation, are they planning to do so?

Response: Not known.

It is anticipated that the proposed legislation will lead to a review of
current procedures but that the outcome of this will be contained within
current funding and resources. The impact of the proposed legislation will
be improvements in standards of education provision and safeguarding for
many children who are home educated.

If you have any queries about this letter, please do not hesitate to
contact me direct on (01642) 729696 or email [Middlesbrough Council request email].
Please remember to quote the reference number shown above in any future
communications.

If you are unhappy with the way your request has been handled you may ask
for an internal review. You should write to:-

Chris Davies,
Corporate Complaints Manager,
PO Box 99A,
Town Hall,
Middlesbrough,
TS1 2QQ.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for an
independent review. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: -
Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF
Yours sincerely

Steph Robson
Freedom of Information Officer

Members Office
P.O. Box 99A
Town Hall
Middlesbrough
TS1 2QQ

Tel. 01642 729696

FAX. 01642 729882
Email: [Middlesbrough Council request email]

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