Southampton

 

A page for information, news and comment in Southampton

 

Table of Contents:

EHE Consultation Comment: News: Regional Groups:

 

related links:

 

 

Meeting the LA Education Department

Guidance on improving LEAs

 

 

EHE Consultation

 

Ahed comment: Although the author of this response has stated that it is a personal response, it is also marked as "Local Authority" as being the best description of the author and is self described as "I am the Elective Home Education Officer". Therefore, it did not appear necesary, given that it is sent as a response to a FOI request and that confidentiality was not requested, to keep the response confidential.

 

 

 

 

Personal Details:

 

Title:

 

First Name: Pamela

Last Name: Belbin

Email: Pamela.belbin@southampton.gov.uk

Address:

 

Organisation: Southampton City Council

 

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Respondent Information Questions:

 

Which of the best describes you:

 

• Local Authority

   

 

Please specify:

 

I am the Elective Home Education Officer, this is my personal response.

 

 

 

 

Consultation Questions:

 

 

1 Do you agree that it is helpful for the DFES to issue guidelines to Local Authorities?

 

 

• Yes 

 

Comments:

 

 

It gives an opportunity for a consistent approach across local authorities.

 

 

 

 

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

   

 

Comments:

 

 

None.

 

 

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

 

 

 

• No

 

Comments:

 

 

In 2.7 it states that authorities have no statutory duties to monitor.  If you don’t monitor, how can you have reason to believe parents are not providing a suitable education?  If a parent ignores any attempt by the authority at contact, what assumption should you make regarding whether education is suitable or not?

 

 

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

 

 

• Yes 

 

 

Comments:

 

 

None.

 

 

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:

 

There is often confusion that EHE children should work to a timetable and observe school hours, days or terms, stating that this is not relevant to EHE is helpful.  3.13 is accurate and helpful.

 

 

 

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

 

• Yes

   

 

Comments:

 

 

It is extremely important to work with parents and not against them.  It should be a partnership where the Local Authority respects parent’s wishes and advises, not dictates, and intervenes only when it believes that parents are not providing a suitable education or that the safety of the child is at risk.

 

 

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

 

• Yes 

 

Comments:

 

 

With regard to truancy sweeps we issue, once registered, EHE children with ID cards stating that they EHE.

 

 

7 b)  Should any other contacts be included?

 

• Not Sure

 

Comments:

 

Possibly publishers of educational materials, i.e. Cambridge University Press, Co-ordination Group Publishers, Pearson’s Educational.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Answer:

 

 

3.9 Out of Date Regulations quoted, the regulations are now 2006 8 (1) (d).

 

There is concern that we as an LA have no right to see or speak to the child, how can we ensure under Every Child Matters that the child is healthy, safe and well?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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News:

 

 

 

 

 

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Regional Groups:

 

Southampton and area - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SEEDS1

 

Surrounding areas:

 

North Hampshire Home Educators - http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/NHEO/

 

Fareham/Gosport - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FareGosHE/

 

Fordingbridge and Ringwood Home Educators - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FRHE

 

 

 

 

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