Thinking About Elective Home Education?
Important Information for Parent Carers of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
Some families have told us they are thinking about Elective Home Education (EHE). They feel their child’s Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) are not met at school. We understand this can be a difficult situation. We want to make sure every parent has the right information before they decide.
Elective Home Education (EHE) is a positive choice for some families. However, you should not feel your only option is to choose EHE.
If you are thinking about EHE because you are worried about your child’s SEND needs or the support they get in school, please ask for help first. Your child’s school and the Local Authority can make changes to support your child. This might include giving extra help in school or looking again at your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), if they have one.
What support is available before you make a decision?
School Based SEND Support
Every education setting uses the Graduated Approach to meet the needs of pupils with SEND. This includes:
- identifying barriers to learning
- assessing individual learning needs
- adjusting teaching
- accessing specialist support where needed
- involving you in planning next steps
It is really important parent and carers are part of the planning and review of SEND Support. When you meet with the educational setting’s SENDCo you can discuss your child or young person’s needs.
Graduated response for supporting children and young people with SEN
Interim or Early Annual Reviews of EHCPs
If your child has an EHCP and you are thinking about EHE, it is best practise for an interim or early EHC annual review to take place first.
This review ensures:
- any concerns you may have are formally recorded
- additional or different provision can be considered, and a plan can be made
- placement suitability can also be discussed if needed
- options for support, short term adjustments, or reintegration plans can also be explored
A discussion around your child's or young person's needs will help your child get the right support. This support will help them feel included and will ensure their happiness. You can request an early review. You do not need to wait for the usual date of the EHC annual review.
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Working together to resolve issues
If you and your child or young person are not sure what to do next, and you are thinking about making a complaint, please remember this:
- parents and schools want the same thing, to help children learn and do well
- many problems can be sorted out by talking clearly with each other
If you need more help, please look at the parent guide to school complaints that is attached.
Complaints about schools Myth busting
Here is a list to support your knowledge around EHE and clarify some of the misunderstandings we have encountered.
When a child becomes electively home educated (EHE):
- the school placement ends
- the Local Authority is no longer required to provide ongoing educational support (unless the EHCP specifies otherwise, which is rare)
- specialist input may reduce or cease (however, children still have access to the school nursing team)
- access to peer relationships and school-based resources can be lost
- parents and carers become financially responsible; no education funding follows the child
- the responsibility of arranging and funding exams falls to parents and carers
- parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure their child receives an ‘efficient, fulltime time and suitable education, either at school or otherwise’ (Education Act 1996, Section 7). A “suitable” education must be appropriate to the child’s age, ability, aptitude, and special educational needs
- there is no requirement upon parents and carers to follow the national curriculum, but it is recommended that a minimum of 15 hours a week is focused on maths, English and sciences
- if the child attends a special school, parents must obtain Local Authority permission to home educate
- if the child attends a mainstream school, no permission is needed, even with an EHC plan, however it is best practise to hold an EHC annual review prior to making the decision
- there is no routine monitoring duty. The Local Authority may make informal enquiries to check that a child is receiving a suitable education.
- if the Local Authority is not satisfied that suitable home education is being provided, it is their duty to make formal enquiries. If the outcome finds education progress is not being made, a School Attendance Order may be issued
- the EHE team look at whether the education provided at home is supporting learning progression, i.e. is education efficient, full-time and suitable for your child’s age ability and any special educational needs?
- the EHE team’s role is not to interfere with your choice, but to ensure your child is receiving an appropriate education and work with you where support or clarification is needed. They are committed to being helpful, fair and supportive throughout every stage of the School Attendance Order process
- parents remain responsible for ensuring their child is safe and well. Local Authorities have a general duty to safeguard children, including those educated at home, and may intervene if welfare concerns arise
Most importantly:
Choosing Elective Home Education (EHE) is a significant decision. Support for your child’s SEND needs is most effective when families, educational settings, and the Local Authority work together, ensuring they receive the right help now and in the future.
If you’re feeling unsure, worried, or would simply like to talk through how things are going for your child, your educational setting’s SENDCo is a great first point of contact. They can help explore options, review support, and work with you to find the best way forward.