Parents have a duty to ensure that their children receive an efficient full-time education. This is normally through regular attendance at school. However some parents may choose to educate their children at home. The SEND, Belonging and Inclusion Team are the point of contact of all matters about school attendance. Where parents choose to home educate the team welcomes the opportunity for parents to work with them to establish and maintain a positive dialogue in the interests of their child. This is to ensure that a high quality education is being delivered to and received by the child / young person and that all children are safeguarded.
When the SEND, Belonging and Inclusion Team becomes aware that parents have elected to home educate, initial contact will be made with the parent(s) to establish what provision is being made. We will usually contact the parents in writing to establish at an early stage what they have set out to achieve by electively home educating their child.
We will also try to establish whether a family is genuinely providing education or whether it is simply avoiding engaging with the school. Parents can respond in writing, or we will arrange a home visit where parents can talk through their arrangements.
The elective home education procedures can be found here. The example letters can be found Introductory Letter and Home request visit letter.
More information can be found on the gov.uk website.