Contact: Jack Cawthra; Education Officer (Education Other Than At School); 01962 846537; email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The Children's Services Department currently works with approximately 500 children in Hampshire whose parents/carers have made the decision to educate them "otherwise than at school". This is usually referred to as Elective Home Education.

1.2 This paper sets out Hampshire County Council's Policy Statement and Information for parents and carers who are considering elective home education. Hampshire County Council's policy on elective home education is:

"Elective Home Education is where parents or carers decide to provide home-based education for their children instead of sending them to school. Hampshire County Council, as the local authority with general responsibility for education in its area (LA) recognises that home education is a key aspect of parental choice and is equal, in law, to education provided in school".

1.4 Parents and carers have a legal duty, under Section 7, Education Act 1996, to see that their children receive, "efficient full time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude, and to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."

1.5 Section 437, Education Act 1996 states that: "If it appears to a Local Education Authority that a child of compulsory school age in their areas is not receiving suitable education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise they shall serve a notice in writing on the parent requiring him to satisfy them within the period specified in the notice that the child is receiving such education." Case law has established that it is not unreasonable for a Local Authority to make informal enquiries of home-educating parents and carers about the education they are providing and plan to provide for their child(ren) as Authorities cannot carry out their duties without it.

1.6 The paper sets out the duties and responsibilities of parents/carers and the Local Authority, attempts to answer frequently asked questions about elective home education and provides a number of contact details where parents and carers can seek further advice, support and guidance. The paper is attached as the appendix.

1.7 The paper supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

_ "Maximising wellbeing", by providing home educating parents and carers with advice, support and guidance to enhance the quality of provision they are making for their children so that young people who are positively engaged in their education are likely to be more able to maximise their life opportunities and contribute, positively, to the social and economic wellbeing of their communities.

1.8 It also supports the following outcomes of the Children Act:

_ Enjoying and achieving: (getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood) by encouraging a high standard of education for children.

_ Make a positive contribution: (being involved with the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour) by supporting and working with home-educating families in all areas of their child's development.

_ Achieve economic well-being: (not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life) by supporting effective and positive education, otherwise than at school.

2 Consultation

2.1 The draft policy paper was widely circulated for consultation. Stakeholders who were consulted included senior officers from a range of County Council Services, support organisations for elective home education, members of the public and home educating families. Responses have been incorporated into the revised text of the document.

3 Legal implications

3.1 None.

4 Financial implications

4.1 None.

5 Personnel implications

5.1 None.

6 Impact assessment

6.1 Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

7 Crime prevention issues

7.1 The Local Authority has considered its obligations and approach under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Hampshire's work is consistent with these requirements.

8 Views of the Local County Councillor

8.1 Not applicable.

Recommendations

1 That the Executive Member for Education approve the Hampshire County Council Policy Statement and Information for Parents and Carers on Elective Home Education.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None.