Flexischooling Policy

The request was partially successful.

Dear City of Edinburgh Council,

The Parenting Science Gang have received funding from Wellcome to undertake research into subjects of interest to parents. This group is looking into the take up of flexischooling in Scotland and the support provided by local authorities to families and schools who wish to make, or currently hold, a flexischooling arrangement.

The information gathered in this project will be published online in a report on the findings, and may form part of an academic paper published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Please would you provide answers to the following questions:

FLEXISCHOOLING POLICY
1. Flexischooling is defined by the Scottish government as where a child attends school part-time and is home educated for the remainder of the week, and can be arranged in collaboration with the school and parents. More information is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2007/12...
Does your LA use the term flexischooling to refer to this arrangement, or is it known by a different term?

2. Please send us copies of written information that your LA makes available to staff, schools or parents to guide and support;
a. requesting a flexischooling arrangement,
b. the decision-making process in accepting or rejecting a request
c. the ongoing support for schools and families involved in flexischooling.
This might include, but not be limited to, policies, procedures and information/guidance sheets.

3. If you do not have any written information as described above, please tell us how a request for a new flexischooling arrangement would be dealt with.

4. Which role within your LA has responsibility for flexischooling? What are their responsibilities? Please provide us with the contact details (name, email, phone number) of the person who currently holds this role.

FLEXISCHOOLING NUMBERS
1. How many children do you believe are currently flexischooling in your LA? Please tell us how you calculated this number (eg based on requests for arrangements, headteacher reports, registration codes).

2. Please provide a breakdown of these numbers indicating the phase of schooling ie number at primary (5-11) level, number at secondary (11-18) level.

3. How many flexischooled children are known to require Additional Support for Learning (ASL).

4. How many requests have been made for flexischooling arrangements during the academic years;
a) 2014-15
b) 2015-16
c) 2016-17

5. How many requests in each of those time periods were accepted?

6. How many requests in each of those time periods were refused. Please give a breakdown of the reasons for which they were refused.

Yours faithfully,

S Collins

City of Edinburgh Council

S Collins

Our ref: 17593

Dear S Collins

Acknowledgement of Request

Subject: Flexischooling Policy

Thank you for your request for information received on 29/01/2018. In your request you asked for information regarding flexischooling in Edinburgh.

I can confirm that your request will be processed under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Environmental Information Regulations (Scotland) 2004, or the INSPIRE (Scotland) Regulations 2009.

You will receive the information requested within 20 working days unless the Council does not hold the information, or there is a reason for it to be withheld. We will write to you in any event. This means we have until 26/02/2018 to respond to your request.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case we will let you know.

If you have any requirements regarding the format any information should be supplied in, e.g. the language to be used, audio, large print and so on, then please let me know.

If you have any queries or concerns, do not hesitate to get in touch. Please quote the reference number above in any future communications.

To promote transparency and accountability, please note it is the Council’s policy to publish all request details and responses made under the freedom of information legislation. This information will be made available through the Council’s website and will not include your personal details. The disclosure log is available at the following link: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/homepage/175....

Further information about your rights and accessing information is available on our website at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

Information Governance Unit
Level 2:1, Waverley Court, Edinburgh EH8 8BG Tel 0131 200 2340
[Edinburgh City Council request email] www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Information Rights Officer 5, City of Edinburgh Council

S Collins

 

[FOI #460577 email]

 

Our ref: 17593

 

Dear S Collins

 

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Partial Release of
Information

 

Subject: Flexi Schooling Policy

 

Thank you for your request for information of 29/01/2018, which has been
processed under the terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002. Unfortunately, the Council is only able to meet part of your
request; this information is released to you now in the format requested.
For ease of reference I shall address each of your questions in turn.

 

Where the Council does not hold the information which you requested please
note that this letter constitutes a formal notice under section 17 of the
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

 

You asked the following:

 

FLEXI SCHOOLING POLICY

 

Flexi Schooling is defined by the Scottish government as where a child
attends school part-time and is home educated for the remainder of the
week, and can be arranged in collaboration with the school and parents.
More information is available here:
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2007/12...

 

Q1. Does your LA use the term flexi schooling to refer to this
arrangement, or is it known by a different term?

 

A1. Yes we refer to flexi-schooling.

 

Q2. Please send us copies of written information that your LA makes
available to staff, schools or parents to guide and support:

 

Q2a. Requesting a flexi schooling arrangement.

 

A2. Application form and Scottish government guidance as attached

 

Q2b. The decision-making process in accepting or rejecting a request.

 

A2b. Scottish government guidance.

 

Q2c. The ongoing support for schools and families involved in flexi
schooling. This might include, but not be limited to, policies, procedures
and information/guidance sheets.

 

A2c. Scottish government guidance and advice via school and Inclusion
Co-ordinator.

 

Q3. If you do not have any written information as described above, please
tell us how a request for a new flexi schooling arrangement would be dealt
with.

 

A3. An application form is submitted by the parent. The family is advised
to liaise with school to agree a flexi schooling arrangement, which is
seen as a partnership between school and home.

 

The Inclusion co-ordinator liaises with school and only with the family if
there is not sufficient information provided in the application (e.g.
regarding the nature of the education the family are proposing will be
delivered through home education). The school will be in regular direct
contact with the family and are encouraged to be the primary point of
contact.

 

The Inclusion Co-ordinator advises the school on best practice and makes
the final decision whether or not request has been agreed. A letter
confirming this decision is sent to the family and copied to the school.

 

Q4a. Which role within your LA has responsibility for flexi schooling?

 

A4a. The Inclusion Co-ordinator.

 

Q4b. What are their responsibilities?

 

A4b. Their remit is to comply with Council strategy and provide direct
support in relation to inclusion, including dealing with requests for home
education and flexi schooling.

 

The Inclusion Co-ordinator receives applications for flexi- schooling and
liaises with the family and school to make decisions on whether the
requests are feasible for the Council to support.

 

The Inclusion Co-ordinator is responsible for liaising with Social Work to
ensure there are no significant care concerns that would put the child at
risk should they be home educated for all or part of the week.

 

Q4c. Please provide us with the contact details (name, email, phone
number) of the person who currently holds this role.

 

A4c. Gillian Barclay, [email address]. 0131 469 2800.

 

FLEXISCHOOLING NUMBERS

 

Q1a. How many children do you believe are currently flexi schooling in
your LA?

 

A1a. 45.

 

Q1b. Please tell us how you calculated this number (e.g. based on requests
for arrangements, head teacher reports, registration codes).

 

A1b. It is calculated by means of Logs of authorised requests.

 

Q2. Please provide a breakdown of these numbers indicating the phase of
schooling i.e. number at primary (5-11) level, number at secondary (11-18)
level.

 

A2.

Primary - 42

Secondary -3

 

Q3. How many flexi schooled children are known to require Additional
Support for Learning (ASL)?

 

A3. 8.

 

Q4. How many requests have been made for flexi schooling arrangements
during the academic years?

 

A4.

a) 2014 -15 - 10

b) 2015 -16 -   7

c) 2016 -17 - 18

 

The other 10 are either pre 2014 -15 or this academic year.

(We only keep details on our log of applications that were either refused
or agreed and continue to flexi-school, we do not keep details for
requests that were refused or have returned to full time education.)

 

Q5. How many requests in each of those time periods were accepted?

 

A5.

a) 2014 -15 - 10

b) 2015 -16 -   7

c) 2016 -17 - 18

(We do not keep details for requests that were either refused or agreed
but have since returned to full time education or moved out of authority)

 

Q6. How many requests in each of those time periods were refused? Please
give a breakdown of the reasons for which they were refused?.

 

A6. We do not retain details of requests that have been refused.

 

To promote transparency and accountability, please note it is the
Council’s policy to publish all request details and responses made under
the freedom of information legislation. This information will be made
available through the Council’s website and will not include your personal
details. The disclosure log is available at the following link:
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/homepage/175...

 

Your right to seek a review

 

I appreciate that our decision may disappoint you and I am sorry that we
have not been able to release all the information you requested on this
occasion. If you are unhappy with the way we have dealt with your request,
you can ask us to review our actions and decisions by writing to:

 

Head of Strategy & Insight

The City of Edinburgh Council

Waverley Court Business Centre 2:1

4, East Market Street

Edinburgh

EH8 8BG or,

Email: [email address]

 

Please note that your request must be in a recordable format (email,
letter, audio tape etc.), and that you have 40 working days upon receipt
of this letter to ask for a review. You will receive a full response to
your review request within 20 working days of its receipt. Please quote
the reference number above in any future communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the review, you can ask the
Scottish Information Commissioner to review our decision. You must submit
your complaint to the Commissioner within 6 months of receiving our review
response. The Commissioner can be contacted at:

 

The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner

Kinburn Castle

Doubledykes Road

St Andrews

Fife

KY16 9DS

Telephone: 01334 464610

Fax: 01334 464611

Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal

Email: [email address]

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Clayton Pratt

Information Rights Officer

 

 

Information Governance Unit

Level 2:1, Waverley Court, Edinburgh EH8 8BG Tel 0131 200 2340

[Edinburgh City Council request email] www.edinburgh.gov.uk

 

show quoted sections

Information Rights Officer 5, City of Edinburgh Council

1 Attachment

Please see the attached document omitted from my previous email. Please
accept my apologies.

 

 

 

Clayton Pratt | Information Rights Officer | Strategy & Insight Division
| Chief Executive | The City of Edinburgh Council | Business Centre 2.1 |
Waverley Court | 4 East Market Street | Edinburgh | EH8 8BG |

( 0131 529 7515 | * [1][email address]

 

From: Clayton Pratt On Behalf Of Information Rights Officer 5
Sent: 23 February 2018 11:41
To: '[FOI #460577 email]'
<[FOI #460577 email]>
Subject: FOI Request Response EDIR:17593

 

S Collins

 

[2][FOI #460577 email]

 

Our ref: 17593

 

Dear S Collins

 

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Partial Release of
Information

 

Subject: Flexi Schooling Policy

 

Thank you for your request for information of 29/01/2018, which has been
processed under the terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002. Unfortunately, the Council is only able to meet part of your
request; this information is released to you now in the format requested.
For ease of reference I shall address each of your questions in turn.

 

Where the Council does not hold the information which you requested please
note that this letter constitutes a formal notice under section 17 of the
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

 

You asked the following:

 

FLEXI SCHOOLING POLICY

 

Flexi Schooling is defined by the Scottish government as where a child
attends school part-time and is home educated for the remainder of the
week, and can be arranged in collaboration with the school and parents.
More information is available here:
[3]http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2007/12...

 

Q1. Does your LA use the term flexi schooling to refer to this
arrangement, or is it known by a different term?

 

A1. Yes we refer to flexi-schooling.

 

Q2. Please send us copies of written information that your LA makes
available to staff, schools or parents to guide and support:

 

Q2a. Requesting a flexi schooling arrangement.

 

A2. Application form and Scottish government guidance as attached

 

Q2b. The decision-making process in accepting or rejecting a request.

 

A2b. Scottish government guidance.

 

Q2c. The ongoing support for schools and families involved in flexi
schooling. This might include, but not be limited to, policies, procedures
and information/guidance sheets.

 

A2c. Scottish government guidance and advice via school and Inclusion
Co-ordinator.

 

Q3. If you do not have any written information as described above, please
tell us how a request for a new flexi schooling arrangement would be dealt
with.

 

A3. An application form is submitted by the parent. The family is advised
to liaise with school to agree a flexi schooling arrangement, which is
seen as a partnership between school and home.

 

The Inclusion co-ordinator liaises with school and only with the family if
there is not sufficient information provided in the application (e.g.
regarding the nature of the education the family are proposing will be
delivered through home education). The school will be in regular direct
contact with the family and are encouraged to be the primary point of
contact.

 

The Inclusion Co-ordinator advises the school on best practice and makes
the final decision whether or not request has been agreed. A letter
confirming this decision is sent to the family and copied to the school.

 

Q4a. Which role within your LA has responsibility for flexi schooling?

 

A4a. The Inclusion Co-ordinator.

 

Q4b. What are their responsibilities?

 

A4b. Their remit is to comply with Council strategy and provide direct
support in relation to inclusion, including dealing with requests for home
education and flexi schooling.

 

The Inclusion Co-ordinator receives applications for flexi- schooling and
liaises with the family and school to make decisions on whether the
requests are feasible for the Council to support.

 

The Inclusion Co-ordinator is responsible for liaising with Social Work to
ensure there are no significant care concerns that would put the child at
risk should they be home educated for all or part of the week.

 

Q4c. Please provide us with the contact details (name, email, phone
number) of the person who currently holds this role.

 

A4c. Gillian Barclay, [4][email address]. 0131 469 2800.

 

FLEXISCHOOLING NUMBERS

 

Q1a. How many children do you believe are currently flexi schooling in
your LA?

 

A1a. 45.

 

Q1b. Please tell us how you calculated this number (e.g. based on requests
for arrangements, head teacher reports, registration codes).

 

A1b. It is calculated by means of Logs of authorised requests.

 

Q2. Please provide a breakdown of these numbers indicating the phase of
schooling i.e. number at primary (5-11) level, number at secondary (11-18)
level.

 

A2.

Primary - 42

Secondary -3

 

Q3. How many flexi schooled children are known to require Additional
Support for Learning (ASL)?

 

A3. 8.

 

Q4. How many requests have been made for flexi schooling arrangements
during the academic years?

 

A4.

a) 2014 -15 - 10

b) 2015 -16 -   7

c) 2016 -17 - 18

 

The other 10 are either pre 2014 -15 or this academic year.

(We only keep details on our log of applications that were either refused
or agreed and continue to flexi-school, we do not keep details for
requests that were refused or have returned to full time education.)

 

Q5. How many requests in each of those time periods were accepted?

 

A5.

a) 2014 -15 - 10

b) 2015 -16 -   7

c) 2016 -17 - 18

(We do not keep details for requests that were either refused or agreed
but have since returned to full time education or moved out of authority)

 

Q6. How many requests in each of those time periods were refused? Please
give a breakdown of the reasons for which they were refused?.

 

A6. We do not retain details of requests that have been refused.

 

To promote transparency and accountability, please note it is the
Council’s policy to publish all request details and responses made under
the freedom of information legislation. This information will be made
available through the Council’s website and will not include your personal
details. The disclosure log is available at the following link:
[5]http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/homepage/175...

 

Your right to seek a review

 

I appreciate that our decision may disappoint you and I am sorry that we
have not been able to release all the information you requested on this
occasion. If you are unhappy with the way we have dealt with your request,
you can ask us to review our actions and decisions by writing to:

 

Head of Strategy & Insight

The City of Edinburgh Council

Waverley Court Business Centre 2:1

4, East Market Street

Edinburgh

EH8 8BG or,

Email: [6][email address]

 

Please note that your request must be in a recordable format (email,
letter, audio tape etc.), and that you have 40 working days upon receipt
of this letter to ask for a review. You will receive a full response to
your review request within 20 working days of its receipt. Please quote
the reference number above in any future communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the review, you can ask the
Scottish Information Commissioner to review our decision. You must submit
your complaint to the Commissioner within 6 months of receiving our review
response. The Commissioner can be contacted at:

 

The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner

Kinburn Castle

Doubledykes Road

St Andrews

Fife

KY16 9DS

Telephone: 01334 464610

Fax: 01334 464611

Website: [7]www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal

Email: [8][email address]

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Clayton Pratt

Information Rights Officer

 

 

Information Governance Unit

Level 2:1, Waverley Court, Edinburgh EH8 8BG Tel 0131 200 2340

[9][Edinburgh City Council request email] [10]www.edinburgh.gov.uk

 

show quoted sections

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