I think some of question numbers have been changed as it doesn't actually go up to 60, but the answers are here.

 

Name of LA: Lincolnshire

Tel. No of main contact 01522 553363

Email of main contact christina.shadeshayes@...

 

Would you be willing to take part in the next phase of the research in March?

YES

 

1. Who is involved in supporting and monitoring home educated children within the LA and other agencies?

 

Support: Education Welfare Officers, CfBT, Additional Needs (statemented pupils), Other agencies as and when needed, eg Ethnic Minority Acheivement Service, Travellers etc.

Monitoring: Education Out of School Team

 

Describe how you ensure collaboration and communication between these teams/individuals

 

The Education Out of School Co-ordinator acts as the central co-ordination point of the process. The co-ordinator monitors cases at each stage of the process and makes decisions on how to proceed, liaising closely with partners on a regular basis. All partner agencies contact the co-ordinator immediately with any concerns/queries and when necessary meetings are held with relevant partners to move cases forward.

 

2. How many children are currently home educated in your LA?

 

Primary age - 130 - registered with LA

Secondary age - 273 - registered with LA

Total - 403

 

3. Are these figures accurate or based on estimates?

 

ACCURATE

 

Where did you get this data from?

 

We are unable to estimate how many children are not registered. In some areas of Lincolnshire the population is very transient, therefore it is impossible to estimate how many of these children are home educated at any one time. All Officers in Children's Services will contact the Education Out of School Co-ordinator if there is any suspicion that a child is not in education - if it then emerges that they are actually being home educated, their name is added to the database.

 

How do you know this data is accurate?

 

The data we have is accurate because we are informed that a child is being home educated either by schools or by parents directly.

 

4. How confident are you in the accuracy of this data?

 

VERY CONFIDENT

 

5. How often does the LA get updated data?

 

Schools on a daily basis. Parents on a daily basis. Any other agency as and when discovered (approx 1 child every 6 months)

 

6. Thinking about your HE population, what proportions have the following characteristics?

 

Statement for SEN - 18 - accurate

Gypsy, Roma, Travaller heritage - 27 - accurate

 

7. Do you believe the LA knows about all the HE children in your area?

 

WE THINK WE KNOW ABOUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF HE CHILDREN IN THE AREA

 

8. Do you think you will be better able to track children in your area in the near future?

 

YES

 

Why do you think that?

 

With the introduction of ContactPoint we will be able to monitor how many children who reach statutory school age do not then enter the school system.

 

9. How does the LA ensure families know about their rights and responsibilities in relation to HE?

 

The LS has a full operational procedure which involves letters being sent to parents at each stage of the process explaining what happens and why. A leaflet is also sent with the initial letter which provides lots of information and

useful website addresses.

 

10. What support does your LA provide to HE families?

 

An EWO visits initially to explain the process to the parents. And EHE Monitoring Advisor then visists to discuss provision and provide further advice. There is no financial support available.

 

11. How does the LA let families know about the services provided to support them in HE-ing their children?

 

The LA leaflet gives details such as website addresses and contact details, for example Education Otherwise, exam boards etc.

 

12. Following the initial assessment visit, are further monitoring visits made to a HE child?

 

YES

 

12a. If yes, how often, on average, are these carried out?

 

(not completed)

 

13. On average, how often is the child seen when a visit is made?

 

USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS

 

 

Children are normally asked about what they are currently studying and are invited to show the Monitoring Advisor their work etc.

 

14. If the child is seen, where is s/he usually seen?

 

IN THE HOME

The vast majority of visits are carried out in the home. On occasion parents may prefer a 'neutral' venue, but the child usually also attends.

 

15. If you are not permitted access to a child, is any further action taken?

 

YES

If the child has not been seen at all, checks which have also been carried out through the process will also be considered (previous school's view, Social Care involvement etc) If there aer any concerns the child will be referred to Social Care through Safeguarding procedures.

 

16. How is the 'suitability' of the education provided to the child assessed?

 

The EHE Monitoring Advisor bases his/her judgement on several factors including the variety of work undertaken, the examples available, the materials available to the child and the opportunities provided to the child for interaction with other children.

 

17. Is the LA clear about what the definition of a 'suitable education' is?

 

The Government Guidance provides a definition, although this does not provide clear instruction on what a suitable education specifically 'looks like'. Lincolnshire takes the view that if there is evidence that the child is exposed to a variety of activities, has access to various resources and is given the opportunity for interaction with other children, this sufficiently equips them with the necessary skills.

 

18. Does the LA have systems in place to track the educational progress of HE children?

 

NO

 

19. Of the HE children in your area of whom you have knowledge, what proportion in your estimation are receiving a suitable full time (20hrs a week) education?

 

All of those who are deemed to be in receipt of satisfactory provision, are full time. If the provision continues to be unsatisfactory, further steps are taken.

 

20. Does the LA take any further steps if a HE child's education was found to be unsuitable or not full time?

 

YES

If provision is deemed unsatisfactory, advice is given and a further visit is carried out within 2 months. If the situation remains the same, the child is referred back for LA provision.

 

21. Does the LA face any challenges in assessing whether HE children receive a suitable education?

 

YES

Many parents who decide to home educate do not wish to have the involvement of the LA. This makes it very difficult for the LA to assess whether the child is indeed receiving a suitable education. If the legislation required parents to comply with providing information it would be much easier for LAs to make sure this is the case.

 

22. Thinking about your local area, in the last 5 years, how many cases have you come across that use the premise of HE as a 'cover' for child abuse, forced marriage or other aspects of child neglect?

 

There are no serious case reviews which have a HE element. We have not had any cases where EHE is used as a 'cover' however there have been cases where parents facing prosecution for non-attendance have opted to home educate. It has been possible to identify these through usual procedures and when necessary they have

been referred back for LA provision - these case amount to no more than 5 per year.

 

23. Do you think the current system for safeguarding children who are educated at home is adequate?

 

NO

Parents are not required to receive a visit or have anyone enter their home. Sometimes this means the child is not seen and although as an Authority we do everything we can, the process is too lengthy. We feel there should be a

requirement of parents that they meet with an LA Officer with the child, so that the child can be asked how they feel about being home educated. At this point EHE is entirely a parent's decision and we do not have any way of making sure this is also the child's preference.

 

24. Do you think that HE children in you LA are able to achieve the five ECM outcomes?

 

NO

We have no way to ensure this is the case. Although the vast majority of parents choose this option for entirely appropriate reasons, we cannot make sure of this.

(Same answer for all 5 outcomes)

 

25. Do you think there should be any changes made to the current system for supporting HE families?

 

YES

More funding and resources available. This area is not taken into account when education funding is delegated.

 

26. Do you think there should be any changes made to the current system for monitoring HE families and ensuring that HE children are able to achieve the five outcomes?

 

YES

There should be a legal requirement of parents to present evidence and meet with a Monitoring Advisor. Teachers in schools are held accountable for children's education. If parents take this important decision they must also understand that they take on the responsibility of being their child's teacher and therefore will be held accountable.