Agenda item

The Associate Director, Children and Families, provided the Panel with an overview of the Elective Home Education (EHE) provision in the context of the current national trends during the pandemic.

The Panel noted that parents had a choice to educate their children at home or by other means under the 1996 Education Act.  The legal and operational background to EHE was explained and was set out in the report.  Since March 2020, Covid-19 had had a significant impact on the numbers of children that were being home educated.  It was noted that children were often referred to as “Hidden Children” as parents were not required by law to report they were home educating and therefore the number of children currently being home educated was expected be higher.  Local Authorities had a duty to establish whether a suitable education was being provided but did not have a role in the assurance of such provision.

In the period, October 2019 to October 2020 EHE cases had risen nationally by 38% and 25% in the South East. Referring specifically to Slough, it was reported that there had been an increase of 59% in cases of EHE and there were currently 289 number of pupils being home educated.  This was a significant increase from 138 in 2017/18.  Members were informed that this presented a number of challenges relating to safeguarding as this could not be monitored in the way it would be in a school setting, and also the wider health and welfare of children.

The Council’s Attendance Service was responsible for supporting schools and parents if parents choose to Electively Home Educate. Home Education Teachers commissioned by the Local Authority assessed the suitability of education in place by conducting home visits; door steps and alternative public places such as libraries and since the pandemic have provided virtual visits.  The Attendance Service monitored, tracked and recorded each EHE case and worked with other agencies, such as Slough Children’s Services Trust, to assess the needs of families and signpost them to appropriate support. 

Members discussed some of the challenges such as the lack of a strong legal framework at a national level; capacity issues caused by the rapid increase in EHE; the fact there was no teacher assessment; the impact on outcomes for children being educated at home in terms of the qualifications; the difficulties for children reintegrating into school if they returned following a period of home education; and the safeguarding concerns referred to earlier in the discussion.  It was stated that whilst curriculum support may be provided by the school it was the responsibility of the parent to provide the education.  The authority had very limited powers to intervene on aspects relating to the provision of education although it could make a referral if there was a safeguarding concern.

The Panel was particularly concerned about the quality of education that was being provided at home and Members commented that whilst in some cases it may be good there were clearly risks that many children were not being educated to the adequate standard.  There was an significant outcome gap for home educated pupils with some doing well and sitting exams whilst some others did not.  There was also a discussion about whether numbers of children being home educated may increase following the full reopening of schools on 8^th March 2021 as some parents were still likely to have concerns about Covid-19.  Members highlighted the importance of robust measures and clear communication with parents around the safety of schools to provide maximum reassurance.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Dhaliwal commented on a number of issues included enforcement measures regarding attendance at school and the management of school rolls for pupils being home educated.  He also highlighted that whilst the issues raised were of concern the number of children home schooled in this way remained a small proportion of school aged children in Slough.

Members asked for a breakdown of children being home education and the Associate Director confirmed he would circulate further information to the Panel.

At the conclusion of the discussion the report was noted.

Resolved – That details of the report be noted.