Agenda item

This report summarises the findings and the key themes emerging from the Elective Home Education (EHE) focus group activity during the summer term 2025.

Discussion:

The Committee received the outcome of the focus group review.

Members raised several comments and questions which included:

• Families that took part in the review were thanked for participation and it was evident that the families appreciated being able to share their experiences.
• The review highlighted the need to ensure that families were assured that their voices would be heard, their views mattered and that they all should receive support tailored to their individual circumstances.
• It was vital that extensive work be undertaken with young people that were being home educated, to build their confidence and encourage them back into the school environment.
• The health section of Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) to be taken into consideration as part of the home education process and decision.
• It was important to remember that the decision to EHE was not always a negative decision and that all decisions must be considered on its individual basis.
• The was a need for a strong focus on communication with families as there were families that wanted their child to return to mainstream education but were reluctant due to lack of communication and partnership working.
• On behalf of schools, the service was thanked for all the support they provided.
• It was vital to bridge the gap between parental decision to EHE by ensuring that schools held meeting with families to explore way to address issues.

Bullying – it was commented that it was disheartening to learn of the high rates of  dis-satisfaction of families with SEND children as well as those that experienced bullying and it was asked what specific actions were being taken in mainstream schools to address concerns and how the recommendations from this review would be implemented. The Committee was informed that there were a number of actions taking place to address issues. When a concern was highlighted by a parent of bullying, each case was dealt with on an individual basis. There were policies in place for Local Authority maintained schools on behaviour management and Academies were expected to manage issues in line with their own internal processes.

In terms of the recommendations from this review which was based on parent and family experience and did not include feedback from schools, the report had been sent to all schools and conversations had taken place in school forums. The national agenda on inclusion had shifted and it was a key priority for all. The DfE was providing additional support and funding to support mainstream schools to be more inclusive and take on more children with complex needs. There was an inclusion conference taking place on 6 November 2025 for schools with Ofsted in attendance to discuss the revised inspection framework.

Feedback - it was commented that in the feedback from parents, 33% gave no reasons for choosing to EHE and it was asked if there was possibility of steering parents to provide that information. The Officer agreed that the percentage was concerning and with the rise in EHE post pandemic, it was noticed very early on that parents were not providing concrete reasons for choosing to EHE. The Team were also notified too late to be able to work with parents to encourage them to keep their child in school. The new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill reform was welcomed, in that it would provide more steer on decisions that may not be in the best interest of the child. Officers highlighted that there were approximately 1300 families that EHE and only 160 participated and were prepared to actively engage in this review.

Support - in response to a question on whether the choice to EHE resulted in families receiving further support with issues experienced or if it was a hindrance, the Committee learned that it was a disadvantage as all educational responsibility and support was removed from the local authority, unless a child was in receipt of some provision under an EHCP, as that provision would remain in place. There were many  websites and charities that supported families with educational provision, but many incurred a cost. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill reform would be instrumental in that it would mandate the register for EHE children and  provide the local authority with powers to challenge a decision to EHE, particularly in the case of vulnerable children.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report.