Luton

a page for information, news and comment in Luton

 

contents:

EHE Consultation Comments: News:

 

related links:

 

Meeting the LA Education Department

Guidance on improving LEAs

 

EHE Consultation

 

In response to an FOI enquiry we have received:

 

 

Which of the following best describes you:      Local authority

Please Specify:                                                  Home Education Officer

 

1 Do you agree that it is helpful for the DfES to issue guidelines to local authorities?

 

 

Yes

 

Comments:

 

 

Guidelines are long overdue. It is extremely difficult to make judgement about the ‘suitability’ of home education provided without at least minimal national criteria. Also not having a requirement to register children at home means they / some could be potentially at risk & not be known to the LA.

 

 

 

2 Do you agree that the description of the law (paragraphs 2.1-2.3) relating to elective home education is accurate and clear?

 

 

No

 

 

Comments: 

 

 

The concepts ‘efficient’, ‘suitable’, full-time’, ‘ability’ & ‘aptitude’ are too vague. They require more objective criteria and / or assessment. Parents could from the outset determine to achieve very little and still be ‘efficient’ Not all parents have time, energy and skills to achieve these ends.

 

 

 

3 Do you agree that the description of local authorities’ responsibilities (paragraphs 2.5-2.11) is accurate and helpful?

 

 

 

No

 

 

Comments:

 

 

2.5 What constitutes ‘reasonable progress’ in a given situation? Too subjective.

 

2.6 How is an LA to know whether a child ‘missing from education’ is being suitably educated unless they investigate?

 

2.7 What constitutes a ‘good reason’ if there is no evidence and access is denied?

 

2.8 If parents are not required to comply with LA requests – and the courts have to – what a waste of time & money!

 

2.11 Access to children is essential.

 

2.8 Appears to contradict 3.7.

 

 

 

4 Do you agree that the section on contact with the local authority (paragraphs 3.4-3.7) is accurate and helpful?

 

 

 

No

 

 

Comments:

 

 

3.4 LAs should not be expected to take any ‘risk- based’ approach to children’s welfare!

 

3.5 What criteria should determine the quality of the information (eg. an anonymous phone call)?

 

3.7 How can the LA be sure that ‘reports’ from parents are true, or that work submitted is that of the child?

 

3.10 Who decides what is a ‘reasonable’ timescale?

 

 

 

5 Do you agree that the section on providing a full-time education (paragraphs 3.11-3.14) – and in particular, the characteristics of provision (paragraph 3.13) – is accurate and helpful?

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

Comments:

 

 

3.12 / 3.13 Such examples are very helpful and useful to parents and LAs but a continuing problem is determining what a particular child’s ‘needs and aspirations’ are – especially if you don’t meet them. How are they to be assessed?

 

 

What does the DfES consider invalid?

 

 

 

 

6 Do you agree that the section on developing relationships (section 4) is useful?

 

 

Yes

 

 

Comments:

 

 

4.8 But does give LA concern about the child’s welfare.

 

4.11 The LA has to determine how it fulfils its responsibilities.

 

4.12 What criteria will Ofsted use?

 

 

 

7 a) Are the suggested resources in section 5 and appendix 2 useful?

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

Comments:

 

 

Insurance provision for work experience will no doubt deter LAs from providing it for young people for whom they receive no funding. The DfES might wish to consider making some funding available.

 

 

 

 

7 b) Should any other contacts be included?

 

 

 

Not Sure

 

 

Comments:

 

 

Seems fairly exhaustive.

 

 

 

8 Please use this space for any other comments you wish to make about the guidelines

 

 

 

Comments:

 

 

There is no reference to the Every Child Matters agenda.

 

There is an emphasis on the need for partnership, but there appears to be no obligation on parents to engage in a partnership with the LA.

 

 

 

 

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