Here is a transcript of the North Yorkshire County Council response to the government consultation on elective home education guidelines to local authorities. Please interject where appropriate with your responses.

 

see also: N. Yorks LA

 

CYPS (Q&I and ESW)

North Yorkshire County Council

 

NYCC

County Hall

Northallerton

North Yorkshire

DL7 8AE

 

Local authority

 

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

 

Yes

 

Comments:

 

 

All parties need to be clear about their rights and responsibilities

 

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

 

Not Sure

 

Comments:

 

 

The description is clear but not necessarily helpful.

 

 

Lack of specificity means that there will always be interpretation of these words.

 

 

What about poorer families and their childrens’ access to public examinations – cost implications?

 

As parents are not required to register with the LA and there is no financial support incentive, there will always be a significant number of families of whom we are unaware.

 

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

 

No

 

 

Comments:

 

 

Section 2.7 is problematic

 

 

“Reasonable progress” is not defined therefore this area is left to parents discretion.

 

 

We would welcome further clarification as to how we would establish that an education is being provided if parents choose not to engage with the LA.

 

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

 

No

 

Comments:

 

 

This paragraph is particularly muddled and unclear

 

 

If parents are not required to engage with the LA then (3.4) how do we know that any provision is being made?

 

What are the criteria used for taking a risk-based approach? It is not clear how to measure risk. Should this be via other community organisations providing information without parental consent?

 

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?

 

Not Sure

 

Comments:

 

 

Parents might find it helpful to have an indication of the sort of provision that could be expected.

 

Why are you not asking for feedback on sections 3.15 – 3.19 – children with SEN???

 

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

 

Yes

 

Comments:

 

 

What does the last sentence in 4.2 mean?

 

4.7 – How can LAs form a view of children’s learning at home if we are not provided with an opportunity to engage with families?

 

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

 

Yes

 

7 b) Should any other contacts be included?

 

Yes

 

Comments:

 

Why specify Christian home educating websites?

 

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

 

Comments:

 

 

• The 1996 Education Act is vague, no definition of full time, efficient and suitability. Guidance does not give any further clarification.
• The need to engage and consent to sharing information are central to LAs involvement with Home Educating families – there has been no change in this.
• There has been no mention of the implications of Contact Point

 

 

What about the right of young people (16+) currently home educated to access the EMA and other health provision/ benefits?