Solihull
A page for information, news and comment in Solihull
table of contents:
related links:
Meeting the LA Education Department
Guidance on improving LEAs
EHE Consultation
Personal Details
Name: Judith Anstiss
Email: janstiss@solihull.gov.uk
Address: SIAS Quality Division Education and Children's services, PO Box 20 Council House Solhull
Organisation: LA
Response on Behalf of an organisation: Yes
Keep response confidential: No
Allowed to contact in the future: Yes
Request a response acknowledgement: No
Request to be informed when the consultation results are published: Yes
Respondent Information Questions
Which of the following best describes you:
Local authority
Answer/Comments
Local Authority Officer with responsibility for Elective Home Education
Consultation Questions
1 Do you agree that it is helpful for the DfES to issue guidelines to local authorities?
Yes
Answer/Comments
The principle of having guidance is good. The main concern is the importance of seeing EHE as a safeguarding issue, as well as an educational one. It would be helpful if the guidance makes it clear that the LSCB should be advised (annually) of all EHE arrangements and the monitoring that takes place to ensure that children are safe.
2 Do you agree that the description of the law (paragraphs 2.1-2.3) relating to elective home education is accurate and clear?
Yes
Answer/Comments
It would be helpful if there was greater emphasis on seeking the views of the children and young people themselves. It is difficult to see how this will be achieved when the guidance makes it clear that there is no requirement for anyone from the LA to see the child.
3 Do you agree that the description of local authorities’ responsibilities (paragraphs 2.5-2.11) is accurate and helpful?
Not Sure
Answer/Comments
Further clarification of the LA's responsiblity to see children (to ensure safety) would be useful. Section 2.4 specifies that parents my choose to home educate their children from an early age; this may result in LAs not being aware that a child is being educated at home and being unable to ensure appropriate education or safety.
4 Do you agree that the section on contact with the local authority (paragraphs 3.4-3.7) is accurate and helpful?
Not Sure
Answer/Comments
The proposed system does not allow the LA to be aware of all children who are home educated
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
6 Do you agree that the section on developing relationships (section 4) is useful?
Not Sure
Answer/Comments
Section 4.7 and 4.8 focus solely on establishing appropriate educational provision for children.
in 4.10 further information around the actions that LAs should take when parents chose not to take up appropriate references and/or be willing for CRB checks to be undertaken would be helpful. Do LAs have the powers to insist on seeing evidence of CRB checks? There should be monitoring that takes place to ensure that CYP are taught by appropriate adults.
7 a) Are the suggested resources in section 5 and appendix 2 useful?
Yes
Answer/Comments
The information around entitlement to Work experience is not clear
7 b) Should any other contacts be included?
No Response
8 Please use this space for any other comments you wish to make about the guidelines
Answer/Comments
The majority of parents who elect to educate their children at home do so very successfully - and it is helpful to have guidance that focuses on the importance of building positive relationships. There are a very small number of cases where the safeguarding of children may be of concern. This guidance does not cover the procedures for this.
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