Elective home education

Hampshire County Council is committed to supporting families who choose to home educate their child

Take part in the survey: Young people who are  educated at home and aged 11 to 16 years old (equivalent to Years 7 to 11) are invited to give their views in the
#BeeWell survey from October to November 2024. To find out more please email us: [email protected]

Elective Home Education online drop in

Monday 25 November 2024, 1pm to 3:30pm

Join us on Teams to have an informal chat with an Elective Home Education Visitor or a representative from Hampshire Futures. You can ‘drop-in’ any time between 10am to 12:30pm. Find out more about:

  • Local groups
  • Post-16 opportunities
  • Ideas and resources
  • Hampshire’s approach to EHE

It's an opportunity to ask any questions you have.

Everyone is welcome, we look forward to seeing you.

Join the meeting
Meeting ID: 344 033 026 763
Passcode: EVzvKV
How to join a Teams meeting

Parents or carers may decide to provide home-based education for their children instead of sending them to school. This is called elective home education (EHE).

Hampshire County Council recognises that home education is a key aspect of parental choice. EHE is equal, in law, to education provided in school.

The County Council, as the local authority, has a duty to be satisfied that all children are receiving suitable education.

The Inclusion Support Service takes the lead role for the County Council in working with home educators and the young people who are being electively home educated in Hampshire. We work with elective home education community groups and maintains links with some of the EHE support providers.

The law states that parents who choose to educate their children at home take on full responsibility, including financial responsibility.

Things to consider before starting EHE

It might be useful to consider the following questions as you decide whether elective home education is the right course for you and your child/children:

  • Have you considered the nature of the education you will provide every day and how you will do it?
  • What is the long-term goal of the education and will your child sit exams such as GCSEs?
  • Can you provide efficient, full-time education suitable for your child’s age, ability and aptitude?
  • Do you have the time and ability needed to educate your child at home?
  • Can you take on the full financial responsibility including the cost of IT equipment and internet access, study materials, text books, exam fees and any professional tuition?
  • Is your home suitable for teaching and learning? Is there enough space? Is it quiet enough?
  • What does your child think about EHE?
  • What would happen if you are not available to provide suitable full-time education for a short or long period?
  • Is your child experiencing emotional difficulties with school attendance? The Education Psychology website has guidance on Emotionally Based School Avoidance for parents and young people:

In addition to the questions, it may be useful to be aware of the following:

  • If you change your mind and wish for your child/children to return to school, you can apply for any school of preference. However, please be aware that there may not be a place at the school(s) of your choice
  • If you want your child to have work experience, be aware that the employer must register the child’s work, and child employment regulations apply to children who are electively home educated
  • Apprenticeships are not available for compulsory school age children

Find out more about EHE

Contacts and support