guidelines for elective home education · 2019. 4. 30. · elective home education is the term used...
Post on 31-Dec-2020
1 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Moving Forward
Guidelines forElective
Home Education
Review Date:
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 1
Guidelines for Elective Home Education2
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 3
Contents List of Abbreviations 4
Part 6: Special Educational Needs 16
6.1 DefiningaSpecialEducationalNeed 6.2 HomeEducationandSpecialEducationalNeed 6.3 OpportunitiesforSupport 6.4 TheStatutoryAssessmentProcessandEHE 6.5 FutureLegislation
Part 1: Introduction 5
1.1 DefiningElectiveHomeEducation 1.2 ReasonsforchoosingHomeEducation 1.3 Principlesunderpinningtheseguidelines 1.4 Purposeoftheseguidelines
Part 2: The Legislative context 7
2.1.TheLawinNI 2.2 Definingefficientfull-timeeducation 2.3 CompulsorySchoolAge
Part 3: Considerations for parents and carers contemplating Elective Home Education 9 3.1 TheChild’sView 3.2 Educationalapproach 3.3 Time 3.4 Money 3.5 CommunityofHomeEducators 3.6 Family 3.7 WiderFamily&Friends 3.8 SpecialEducationalNeeds 3.9 IssuesatSchool Part 4: Roles and Responsibilities 12 4.1 Parents 4.2 Schools 4.3 TheEducationAuthority
Part 5: Education Provision 14
5.1 ExamplesofLearning 5.2 CharacteristicsofHomeEducation
Part 7: Safeguarding 18
7.1 RespondingtoaSafeguardingConcern 7.2 InformationonVettingandLocalInformationforParents 7.3 WheretoAdditionalInformation
Guidelines for Elective Home Education4
Appendices 31 •Appendix1:Resources&Supports •Appendix2:S.A.1Form&Guidance •Appendix3:SchoolAttendanceNotice •Appendix4:References
Part 8: Family Support 18
8.1 InformationforFamilies
Part 9: Community Use of Schools 19
9.1 UsingSchoolFacilities
Part 10: Public Examinations in Northern Ireland 20 10.1 EnteringChildrenforExams 10.2 IGCSEExaminations 10.3 ExamConcessions
Acknowledgements 37
List of AbbreviationsEHE ElectiveHomeEducationEA EducationAuthorityDE DepartmentofEducationS.A.1 SchoolAttendance1
SAO SchoolAttendanceOrderHEDNI HomeEducationNorthernIrelandCCEA CouncilfortheCurriculum,ExaminationsandAssessmentEWS EducationWelfareService
Part 11: Careers Guidance 21
11.1 TheCareersService11.2 TheCareersGuidanceInterview11.3 Ifyourchildhasalearningand/orphysicaldisabilitytheCareers
Servicecanhelp?11.4Resources
Part 12: Education Authority Process when a concern is raised 23
12.1 IntroductiontotheEAProcess Step1:ExploringaConcernwithparents Step2:ExploringaConcern:ContinuedEngagementwithFamilies Step3:AddressingaConcern-TheEALegislativeProcess
Part 13: Data Protection 30
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 5
Educationisafundamentalrightforeverychild.Througheducation,ouryoungpeoplearesupportedtodeveloptheknowledge,skills,attitudesandpersonalattributestheyneedtothrive inchildhoodand togoon to leadhealthyand fulfilling livesascontributors tooureconomyandsociety.TherightofallchildrentoenjoyexcellentqualityandeffectiveeducationisenshrinedunderArticles28and29oftheUnitedNationsConventionontheRightsoftheChild(UNCRC)1.Educationmustbechild-centred,child-friendlyandempowering,withitsgoalbeingtostrengthenthechild’scapacitytoenjoythefullrangeofhumanrightsandtorespecttherightsofothers.Educationshouldempowerchildrenbydevelopingtheirskills,learningandothercapacities,humandignity,self-esteemandself-confidence.
TheUNCommitteeon theRightsof theChild isclear that, for thepurposesofmeetingtheUNCRCobligations,achild’seducationshouldreachfarbeyondformalschoolingandshouldembracethebroadrangeoflifeexperiencesandlearningprocesseswhichenablechildren,individuallyorcollectively,todeveloptheirpersonalities,talentsandabilitiesandtoliveafullandsatisfyinglifewithinsociety.Article2oftheFirstProtocoltotheEuropeanConventiononHumanRightsasincorporatedbytheHumanRightsAct19982providesthatnooneshallbedeniedtherighttoeducation.ThishasbeeninterpretedbytheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightstomeanthateverychildisentitledtoaccessaneffectiveeducation.
In Northern Ireland each parent has a legal duty to ensure that their child receives aneducationandwhilsteducationiscompulsoryforeverychild,attendanceatschoolisnot. Whetherparentschoosetoeducatetheirchildathomeorbyattendingschool,theEducationAuthority(EA)encouragesparentstosupporttheirchildtodevelophisorherownthoughtsand ideasaboutabroadrangeof issuesandthatparents listen toandensure that theirchild’sviewsaretakenseriouslyinmattersofimportancetothem.
1.1 Defining Elective Home EducationElectiveHomeEducationisthetermusedtodescribethepracticebywhichparentsdecidetoeducatetheirchildrenoutsideoftheschoolsystem.ThisisdifferenttotuitionprovidedbytheEAtoachildwhoisunwellorwhoattendsalternativegrouparrangementsprovidedbytheEA.ElectiveHomeEducationissometimesreferredtoas‘EHE’.Throughouttheseguidelines,‘parents’shouldbetakentoincludeallthosewithparentalresponsibility,includingguardiansandcarers3.
1.2 Reasons for Choosing Home EducationSomeparentschoosetohomeeducateforawidevarietyofreasonswhichmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
• Spiritualbeliefs• Philosophicalreasons• Dissatisfactionwiththesystem• Bullying• SpecialEducationalNeeds• Asashorttermmeasureforaspecificreason*this list is not exhaustive
Part 1: Introduction
1 www.unicef.org.uk/what-we-do/un-convention-child-rights2 www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/human-rights/human-rights-act3 The Children Order 1995 & Education & Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 DE Circular 1999/17 – Parental Responsibility – Guidance for schools
Guidelines for Elective Home Education6
1.3 Key Principles Underpinning these guidelinesTherearethreekeyprinciplesunderpinningtheseguidelines
• TheEArecognisesthediversityofapproachestoelectivehomeeducationandwillnotfavouranyparticularapproach.TheEuropeanConventionfortheProtectionofHumanRightsandFundamentalFreedoms,Article2ofProtocolNo1alsosupportsthisbystating:“Nopersonshallbedeniedtherighttoeducation.Intheexerciseofanyfunctionswhichitassumesinrelationtoeducationandtoteaching,theStateshallrespecttherightofparentstoensuresuchaneducationandteachingisinconformitywiththeirownreligiousandphilosophicalconvictions.”
• ChildCentred-childrenwhoarehomeeducatedwilllearnindifferentwayswitharangeofapproachesandwewillbemindfulofthisandchildren’sviewsinourengagementwithhomeeducatingfamilies.SeePart3,paragraph3.1oftheseguidelines.
• Parentfocused-parentsarethefirsteducatorsoftheirchildren,theEAwillactivelypromoteapositivedialoguewithparentswhochoosetohomeeducatetheirchild,todevelopeffectivepartnerships.
1.4 Purpose of these GuidelinesTheseguidelineswillreflectthecurrentlegislativeframeworkwithinNorthernIrelandandtheEAwilloperatewithintheexistinglegislativeframeworkwhenengagingwithhomeeducators.
Followingthekeyprinciplesestablishedabove,theseguidelinesaimto:• Supportparentsinensuringthatchildrenreceiveasuitableeducationwhen
educatedathome.• Promotegoodpracticebyclearlydefiningthelegislation,therespectiverolesand
responsibilitiesofparents,theEA,andschoolsandanyotherrelevantpartner.• Encourageworkingrelationshipsthatrespecttheparent’sdutytoeducateandtheir
roleasdecisionmakerinensuringtheirchild’srighttoaneducation.• OutlinetheobligationsoftheEAtochildrenofcompulsoryschoolage(seeparttwo)
andchildrenuptotheageof19,forwhomtheEAmaintainsastatementofspecialeducationalneeds.
• MakecleartootherorganisationstheroleoftheEA.• Haveapplicationforschoolsandotherorganisations.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 7
2.1 The Law in Northern IrelandTheresponsibilityforachild’seducationrestswiththechild’sparents.
Article45oftheEducationandLibraries(NorthernIreland)Order1986(asamended)placesadutyonparentstoensurethattheirchildreceivesan‘efficientfull-timeeducationsuitabletohisage,abilityandaptitudeandtoanyspecialeducationalneedshemayhave,eitherbyregularattendanceatschoolorotherwise’.Thisenablesparentstosecuretheirchild’sefficient full-time education either at school or outside of the formal school environmentprocess.
Article2ofProtocol1oftheEuropeanConventiononHumanRightsstatesthat“Nopersonshallbedeniedtherighttoeducation.Intheexerciseofanyfunctionswhichitassumesinrelationtoeducationandtoteaching,theStateshallrespecttherightofparentstoensuresuch education and teaching is in conformity with their own religious and philosophicalconvictions.”
2.2 Defining efficient full-time educationParentsmustprovideaneducationwhichis‘efficient, full time and suitable’.Caselawhassetouthowthesetermsaretobeinterpretedasfollows:
‘Efficient’Efficienteducationhasbeenbroadlydescribedincaselawasaneducationthat “achieves that which it sets out to achieve”
‘Full Time’Childrennormallyattendschoolbetween22and25hoursaweekfor38weeksoftheyear,butthismeasurementof “contact time”maynotberelevanttoelectivehomeeducationwherethereisoftenalmostcontinuousone-to-onecontactandeducationmaytakeplaceoutsidenormal“school hours”
‘Suitable’Educationissuitableifit“primarily equips a child for life within the community of which he is a member, rather than the way of life in the wider country as a whole, as long as it does not foreclose the child’s options in later years to adopt some other form of life if he wishes to do so”.4
A ‘suitable education’hasalsobeendescribedaspreparingthechildrenforlifeinmoderncivilisedsociety,andenablingthemtoachievetheirfullpotential.5
Part 2: The Legislative Context
4 R v Secretary of State for Education, ex parte Talmud Torah Machzikei Hadass School Trust. Judicial Review 19855 Harrison & Harrison v Stevenson (1981)
Guidelines for Elective Home Education8
2.3 Compulsory School Age InNorthernIrelandchildrennormallystartschoolintheSeptemberoftheschoolyearaftertheirfourthbirthday.
Thosechildrenwhosebirthdayfallsinthesummermonthsfrom2Julyto31August,donotstartschooluntilthefollowingSeptember.
Achildcontinuestobeofcompulsoryschoolageuntiltheyreachtheageof16.
Ifachildturns16between1Septemberand1July(inclusive),theycanleaveschoolon30Juneofthatyear.Ifachildbecomes16between2Julyand31August(inclusive),theycannotleaveschooluntil30Juneofthefollowingyear6.
Whereaparentfeelstheirchildisnotreadytostartschoolatage4,separateguidanceisavailable‘SchoolStartingAge-AGuideforParents’.
Thisdocumentcanbefoundat https://www.eani.org.uk/publications/starting-school-age-a-guide-for-parents
6 https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/school-attendance-absence-and-law
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 9
Makingadecisiontoeducateyourchildathomeissignificantanditcanbehelpfultoreflectonanumberoffactorsbeforereachingadecision.Thissectionoftheguidelineshasbeendevelopedtohelpyouidentifyandthinkaboutsomeoftheissuesthatmightberelevanttoyourcircumstancessothatyourdecision is informedandthatyoucanplan,asfaraspossible,yourtransitiontohomeeducating.
3.1 The Child’s View Asaparentconsideringelectivehomeeducation,itcanbehelpfultochatwithyourchildaboutthisdecisionasthismayassistyouinreachingadecisiontakingaccountofallrelevantfactors,includingthosewhichmaybeofparticularimportancetoyourchild.Involvingthechildfromtheoutsetmayalsoeaseyourchild’stransitiontohomeeducation,particularlyiftheyhaveattendedschoolanditcanalsoinformthemethodologyandapproachesthatyouwilladoptasyouhomeeducate.
Itisimportanttoencouragechildrenandyoungpeopletoexpresstheirpersonalperspectiveonissuesthataffectthem.Childrenhavetherighttoexpressanopinion,fortheirviewsoropiniontobelistenedtoandtakenseriouslywhendecisionsarebeingmadewhichimpacton their lives7.The right of the child to be heard should be implemented in the diversesettingsandsituations inwhichchildrengrowup,developandlearn, includingwithinthefamilyhome.Itisimportantforparentstoencourageandsupporttheirchildrentoexpresstheirpersonalperspectiveonissuesthataffectthemandtogivethoseviewsdueweightinamannerconsistentwiththematurityandunderstandingofthechild.
Asyourchildgrowsanddevelopsitwillbeimportantforyouastheirparentandeducatortoseektheirviewsthroughoutthehomeeducationprocess.
3.2 Educational approach Everyhome-educating family isdifferent,and there isawiderangeofapproaches, fromfollowingaverystructuredcurriculumtorespondingdynamicallytoachild’sinterests(andeverypointinbetweenthetwo).Familiesoftenfindthattheirstyleshiftsovertimeandcanevenbedifferentforchildreninthesamefamilyorforachildatdifferentages.Whenfamiliesbegintohomeeducatetheytypicallygothroughaperiodofresearchandexperimentationbeforesettlingintothemethodwhichissuitablefortheirchildatthattime.It isgenerallybettertoallowforthisperiodof‘settlingin’beforeinvestingtoomuchinaparticularapproach,financiallyoremotionally.Thiswillallowchildrentheopportunitytogetusedtotheideaofhomeeducation.Thereisasignificantamountofinformationandresourcesavailableonlineandinprintaboutthewiderangeofdifferentapproachesthatfamiliestakeandyoumaywishtostartyourresearchbeforeyoudecidetohomeeducate.SomeresourcesarenotedinAppendix1.
3.3 TimeHome educators are not required to follow school hours or terms. They can also useappropriatechildcareduringwhatwould,intermsoftheschoolenvironment,beidentifiedas ‘schoolhours’. Homeeducationby itsnatureemphasizesone-to-oneorsmallgroupattentionwhichtypicallymakesitveryefficient.Infamilieswhereaschool-at-homeapproach
Part 3: Considerations for parents and carers contemplating elective home education
7 Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Guidelines for Elective Home Education1 0
ispreferred,workcangenerallybecoveredmorequicklythaninanequivalentclassroomsession,whileattheotherendofthespectrum,learningcanbeflexibleandintegratedwithfamilylife.Rememberthatalthoughyoumaybeabletoavoiddailyschoolrunsandgainconsiderableflexibility,thereisnodoubtthathomeeducationwillstilltakeaconsiderableamountoftimeandenergywhateverapproachtoeducationyouchoose.Atsomepointsintheireducationchildrenwillneedmoreone-to-oneattention,forexampleintherun-uptoexams,andattimessignificantcontacttimemaybeimportant.Familieswilluseavarietyof approaches depending on their own individual circumstances and develop solutionsaccordingly.Familiesmaywishtoconsiderhowtheywillmanagetheirtimeandresources,particularlyinthefirstweeksandmonths.
3.4 Money Homeeducators donot receive financial assistance to fund theeducation theyprovide.Mostfamilieswillfindthathomeeducationleaveslesstimeavailableforpaidworkforatleastoneparent,whichcanraiseextrachallengesforsomefamiliesandparticularlysingleparents.Itiscertainlypossibletospendasignificantamountonresourcesifyouwishtodoso,anditcanbeexpensiveifyouwishtoaccessformalexaminations.Thereisawideselectionoffreeresourcesavailablelocallyandonlinetosupportfamilieswhochoosetohomeeducate.SomeresourcesarenotedinAppendix1.
3.5 Community of Home EducatorsThere isa friendlyandactivehomeeducatingcommunity inNorthern Irelandwithmanyevents and opportunities for learning and socialising (try an internet search for homeeducationNorthernIreland).Youwillprobablyfindithelpfultomakecontactwithotherhomeeducatorsbeforeyoumakeyourdecision,allowingyoutoaskquestionsandtostartformingconnectionswithotherfamilies.Ifyouarederegisteringfromschoolthenyoumaywishtogiveyourchildtheopportunitytosaygoodbyeandmakeplanstostayincontactwiththeirfriendsandclassmates.EAencouragesschoolstodowhattheycantomakethetransitionsmoothandpositive.
3.6 FamilyIf you decide to homeeducate, youwillmost likely spendmore timewith your children(andtheywillspendmoretimewitheachother)thantheymayhavebeenusedtoiftheyhavebeenregisteredwithaschool. Mostfamiliesseethisasasignificantadvantageofhomeeducation,buttheremaybeaperiodofadjustment.Theadjustmentmaybemorecomplicatedifsomechildreninthefamilycontinuetoattendschoolwhilesomearehomeeducated.Itmaybeworthconsideringhowyoucanmakesurethateveryonegetsthetimeandsupporttheyneedtoadjust.
3.7 Wider family and friendsManypeoplehavenevermetsomeonewhoeducatestheirchildrenathome,andmaynotrealisethathomeeducationisevenanoption.Itcansometimesbeworryingforfriendsandfamilytohearthatachildwillbeleavingschool,orwillneverattend.Theymaywronglyassociatehomeeducationwithtruancyor‘droppingout’;alternativelytheymayhaveaveryfixedideaofwhathomeeducationlookslike,whichmaydifferfromyourapproach.Youmaywanttoconsiderhowyouwilldiscussyourdecisionwithyourfriendsandfamily.Someoftheresourceslistedattheendoftheseguidelinesandelsewhereonlinemaybehelpfultosharewiththemorforyoutoreadbeforediscussingit.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 11
3.8 Special Educational Needs (SEN)Childrenwithspecialeducationalneedscanalsobehomeeducated.Howeveryoumayfindyouneedtoplanmorecarefullyifsupportoutsidethehomeisneeded,giventhatmuchofthesupportavailableforchildrenwithSENisschoolbased.Itwouldbeusefultodiscusshowthissupportcancontinuewithyourdoctors,therapistsorrelevantEAofficers,beforederegistering.AdditionalinformationcanbefoundinPart6ofthisguide.
3.9 Issues at SchoolThereareoccasionsduringachild’stimeatschoolwhentheymaybeexperiencingdifficultiesandsomeparentsmayconsiderelectivehomeeducationasaresolutiontothesedifficulties.Schoolsarekeen to resolveany issues thatmayoccurandprovideappropriatesupportthereforeweencourageparentstobeginbydiscussinganyproblemswiththeschool.Wheredifficultiescontinuethereareanumberofoptionsforresolvinganyconflictsuchas:
• Speakinitiallywiththeteacherorprincipal;• Followingtheschoolscomplaintsprocedurewhichcanbeobtainedfromtheschool’s
websiteorbycontactingtheschooldirectly;• Iftheschool’scomplaintsprocedurehasbeenexhaustedandyoufeelthattheprocess
hasnotbeenfollowedcorrectly,youcanwritetotheNIPublicServiceOmbudsman; (www.nipso.org.uk/nipso/making-a-complaint/how-do-i-make-a-complaint-to-nipso/)
orcontacting0800343424;• CurrentlytheDisputeAvoidanceResolutionService(DARS)thisservicecanassist
wheredifficultiesariseinrelationtochildrenwithspecialeducationalneeds (www.education-support.org.uk/parents/special-education/dars)
ArangeoforganisationswhoofferadviceandassistancecanbefoundinAppendix1ofthisdocument.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education1 2
4.1 Parents
As a parent I have decided to educate my child at home – what do I need to do?
Ifthechildhasneverattendedschool,thereisnolegalrequirementonparentstomakeanycontactwiththeEducationAuthority(EA),butEAwouldinviteparentstomakecontactwiththeElectiveHomeEducationTeam for advice onmatters suchas the curriculum, publicexaminationsandfutureenrolmentatschool.
Ifthechildisattendingschool,parentsshouldderegistertheirchildbyletter,informingthePrincipaloftheschooloftheirintentiontohomeeducateandthatthechildcanberemovedfromtheschoolregister.EAencouragesschoolstoofferparentsinformationandsupportintransitioningtohomeeducation,andencouragesparentstocontacttheirschooltoseewhathelptheycanoffer.
ThenotificationtothePrincipalmustbemadeinwritingwithadateforthestartofelectivehomeeducationandtheparent’ssignature.Ifnonotificationisreceived,thechildwillremainontheschool’sregisterandbemarkedeachdayasanunauthorisedabsence,whichmaymeanparentsbeingcontactedbytheEducationWelfareServicesduetosustainedabsencefromschool.
4.2 Schools
What should the school do once I have told them I wish to de-register my child?
Whereaparenthasindicatedthattheyareconsideringelectivehomeeducation(EHE),schoolswillengageindiscussionabouttheimplicationsofmakingthischoice.Schoolsshouldalwaysadheretothelegalframework.Schoolscannotlegallypreventordelayde-registrationofachildonceformallynotifiedbytheparent.Inthecaseofselectiveandover-subscribedschools,theparentshouldbeadvisedthatfuturere-registrationoftheirchildatschoolmaynotbepossible.
Theparentshouldinformtheschooloftheirintentiontohomeeducateintheformofasignedanddatedletter.Whenawrittenletteradvisingofde-registrationisreceivedaschoolshouldassureitselfthattherequestisfromanadultwhohasparentalresponsibilityforthecareofthechild.Wheremorethanonepersonhasparentalresponsibilityandthereisdiscordregardingadecisionaffectingachild’seducationthenthosewithparentalresponsibilitywouldbeexpectedtoconsulttogetherandreachanagreementonanydecisionaffectingthechild’seducation.
AsperDECircular2017/15aschoolwillremovethechildfromtheregisteronthedayaftertheirlastattendance.
Theschoolshouldcompleteanattendanceform(SAI-seeAppendix2)andprovideadditionalcopiestothechild’sparentviaemailtotheEHETeamattheEducationAuthorityalongwithascannedcopyof theparent’sde-registration letter,andtheEducationWelfareServiceasperDECircular2018/12whichcanbefoundathttps://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/circular-201812-attendance-guidance-and-absence-recording-by-schools TheEHEteamcanbecontactedat ehe@eani.org.uk
Part 4: Roles and Responsibilities
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 1 3
Schoolsshouldofferconstructivesupporttochildrenmakingthetransitiontohomeeducation.Dependingontheageofthechildthismightincludeprovidingcurriculummaterialstohelpparentsinthefirstfewweeksofhomeeducationortheshorttermloanoftextbooks.Schoolsshouldbepreparedtoprovideabriefwrittenreportonthechild’sprogressandattainmenttoassistparentsinplanningforEHEprovisionandshouldbeopentofuturediscussionofprovisionwithparentsparticularlyduringthetransitionphase.
4.3 The Education Authority
What will the Education Authority do once they receive notification that a parent has de-registered their child and is home educating?
TheEHETeamwill:• Maintaina recordofanyattendance (SA1) forms (seeAppendix3) received from
schoolswhenachildmoves toelectivehomeeducation,alongwithcopiesof thecompletedforms,andtheparent’sletterinformingtheprincipalofde-registration.
• Contact theschoolprincipal toascertain ifanysupport is requiredwith thechild’stransitiontoelectivehomeeducation.
• Makecontactwithparents inordertosendthemacopyof theseguidelineseitheron paper, electronically or via web link, and to provide them with any additionalinformationregardingsupportavailablethroughEA.
Inaimingtofostergoodrelationshipswithhomeeducatingparents,theEHETeamwill:• Contacthomeeducationfamiliesannuallytoprovidethemwithanyupdatesregarding
availableEAsupport,anychangesintheguidelinesandtoofferadviceasrequired.• Provideadvice to schools regarding the requirements for de-registrationandbest
practiceinfacilitatingasmoothtransitiontoelectivehomeeducationforthebenefitandwelfareofthechild.
• Theteamwillofferadviceandsupporttoparentsonanyrelevantmatterifrequested andwillengagewithahomeeducatingparentwhethertheirchildhasbeenregistered
atschoolornot.HavingneverregisteredachildatschooldoesnotexcludeaparentfromseekingadviceandsupportfromtheEHETeam.
Whereaconcernisraisedregardingtheeducationalprovisionbeingprovidedathome,theEHETeamwillfollowtheprotocolscontainedintheseguidelines(seePart12).ThismayinvolveseekingtheadviceofotherprofessionalswithinEAindeterminingthesuitabilityofanyspecificprovisiontomeettheneedsofthechild.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education1 4
5.1 Example of LearningParentsarerequiredtoprovideanefficient,full-timeeducationsuitabletotheage,abilityandaptitudeofthechildanditisimportanttorecognisethattherearemanyvalidapproachestoeducationalprovision.Ifrequested,informationprovidedtotheEAaboutthiseducationmaybeintheformofspecificexamplesoflearningsuchas,butnotlimitedto:
• EducationalPhilosophyorReportbyParentsometimescalledEducationalPhilosophyandReport;
• EducationalReport;• Assessmentsseteitherbyparentsorfromexternalsources;• ICTactivitiesincludingthosepresentedonline;• Samplesofwork,children’sworkbooks;• Reportsofeducationalvisits;• Picturesorpaintings;• Modelsorotherconstructionactivities;• Diariesorjournalsofeducationalactivity;• Projects;• Periodiceducationalplans
5.2 Characteristics of Home EducationThe EducationAuthority may reasonably expect the preferred approach to include thefollowingcharacteristics:
• Consistent involvementofparentsorothersignificantcarers - it isexpected thatparentsorsignificantcarerswouldplayasubstantialrole,althoughnotnecessarilyconstantlyoractivelyinvolvedinprovidingeducation;
• Provisionwhich takesaccountof the viewsof the child, their educational needsincludinganyspecialeducationalneed,interestsandaspirations;
• Provisionofopportunitiesforthechildtobestimulatedbytheirlearningexperiences;• Access to resources/materials required toprovidehomeeducation for thechild -
suchaspaperandpens,booksand libraries,artsandcraftsmaterials,physicalactivity,ICT;and
• Opportunitiesforappropriate interactionwithotherchildrenandadultsotherthanparentsorsignificantcarers.
Homeeducatingparentsarenotrequired,butmaychooseto:
• TeachtheNorthernIrelandCurriculum;• Provideabroadandbalancededucation;• Haveatimetable;• Havepremisesequippedtoanyparticularstandard;• Sethoursduringwhicheducationwilltakeplace;• Havespecificqualifications;
Part 5: Education at Home Provision
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 1 5
• Makedetailedplansinadvance;• Observeschoolhours,daysorterms;• Giveformallessons;• Assessworkdonebytheirchild;• Formally assess progress or set appropriate targets and objectives in line with
specialeducationalneed;• Reproduceschool-typepeergroupsocialisation;• Matchschool-based,age-specificstandards.
Whiletheyarenotrequiredto,parentsmayfindithelpfultothemselvesaseducatorandtheirchild/childrentohaveastructureinplace.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education1 6
6.1 Defining a Special Educational NeedTheEducation(NI)Order1996definesachildashavingaspecialeducationalneed(SEN)ifheorshehasalearningdifficultywhichcallsforspecialeducationalprovisiontobemadefor him or her.
Achildhasa“learningdifficulty”ifheorshehasasignificantlygreaterdifficultyinlearningthanthemajorityofchildrenofhisorherageorhasadisabilitywhicheitherpreventsorhindershimorherfrommakinguseofeducationalfacilitiesofakindgenerallyprovidedforchildrenofhisorherageinordinaryschools,
The term learning difficulty therefore describes children who have learning problems ordisabilitiesthatmakeitharderforthemtolearnthantheirpeergroup.ChildrenwithalearningdifficultycanbesupportedbytheirschoolormayhavedifficultiesthatrequireastatutoryassessmentandinsomecasesastatementofspecialeducationalneedwhichdeterminesspecificprovisionthatEAmustmakeforthechild.
6.2 Home Education and Special Educational NeedsParentsmayeducatetheirchildathomeevenifheorshehasSEN,irrespectiveofwhetherthechildhasastatementofspecialeducationalneedsornot,andwhetherthechildhasattendedaspecialschool.Theprocessforderegistrationandthedutiesoftheparentarethesameasforallchildren.ParentschoosingtohomeeducatetheirchildshouldengagewiththerelevantstatementingofficerwithinEA.
6.3 Opportunities for SupportTherearemanycategoriesofspecialeducationalneedandmanywaysinwhichtolearnmoreaboutaspecificspecialeducationalneed includingspecial interest/supportgroups,onlineinformationetc.InadditiontheEducationAuthorityisdevelopingatrainingprogrammewhichwillincludecoursesforparentsonarangeofspecialeducationalneedsandallparentsincludingthosewhohomeeducatearewelcometoattend.Thesecourseswillbedesignedtoassistparentsinincreasingtheirunderstandingoftheirchild’sspecialeducationalneedandgaininformationonstrategieswhichmayhelpwiththelearningprocess.Asthistrainingframeworkbecomesfullyoperational,informationwillbemadeavailableontheEAwebsite.www.eani.org.uk
6.4 The Statutory Assessment Process and EHEAparentwho is educating their child at homemayalsoaskEA to carry out a statutoryassessmentorreassessmentoftheirchild’sspecialeducationalneeds.EAwillconsiderthisrequestwithinthesamestatutorytimescalesandinthesamewayasforallotherrequests.
WherethestatutoryassessmentprocesshasbeenundertakenandaproposedstatementofspecialeducationalneedisbeingissuedandEAissatisfiedthatthechild’sparenthasmadesuitablearrangementsforthespecialeducationalprovisionspecifiedintheproposedstatementtobemadeforthechild,itdoesnothavetonameaschoolinpart4ofthechild’sstatement.ThereshouldbeongoingdiscussionbetweenEAand theparents,andratherthan thenameof theschool,Part4of thestatement shouldstate the typeof schoolorinstitutionwhich EAconsidersappropriateand, ifappropriate, that “parentshavemadetheirownsuitablearrangementsasrequiredunderArticle45oftheEducationandLibraries(NI)Order1986”.
Part 6: Special Educational Needs
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 1 7
Inthecaseofachildwithastatementofspecialeducationalneeds,theEAwillmaintainthisstatementandshallarrangethatthespecialeducationalprovisionindicatedinthestatementismadeforthechildunlessthechild’sparenthasmadesuitablearrangements(Article16(5)oftheEducation(NI)Order1996).Parentsarerequiredtoprovideanefficient,full-timeeducationsuitabletotheage,abilityandaptitudeandtothespecialeducationalneedsthechildmayhave.InsomecasesacombinationofprovisionbyparentsandEAmaybestmeetthechild’sneeds.Whileastatementofspecialeducationalneedisinplace,thestatementshouldbereviewedannually.Insomecircumstancesthechild’sspecialeducationalneedsidentifiedinthestatementwillhavebeenrelatedtotheschoolsettingandthechild’sneedsmayreadilybemetathomebytheparentswithoutEAinvolvement.Itmaybeappropriate,once it is established that a child’s special needs are beingmet without any additionalsupportfromEA,toconsiderceasingtomaintainthestatement.Thismaybedoneattheannualrevieworatanyothertime.
IftheEAhasaconcernafterdueconsiderationthattheparentsarenotmakingeducationalarrangementssuitabletothechild’sage,abilityandaptitudeandtothespecialeducationalneedsasrequiredunderArticle45oftheEducationandLibraries(NI)Order1986,thenEAwillfollowtheprocessesoutlinedinPart11ofthisdocumentandmayconcludethattheirobligationtoarrangetheprovisioninthestatementmustbemet.
6.5 Future Legislation‘ItshouldbenotedthattheSpecialEducationalNeedsandDisability(NorthernIreland)Act2016,willensuretheviewsofthechildareconsideredaspartofthediscussionabouttheirneeds;thateverychildwithSENhasapersonallearningplan;andthatthereisincreasedcooperationbetweeneducationandhealthauthoritiesinidentifying,assessingandprovidingservicestochildrenwithSEN.Furthermore,whentheActisimplementeditwill introducenewandseparaterightsofappealtotheSpecialEducationNeedsandDisabilityTribunal(SENDIST)tochildrenovertheageof16.TheseguidelineswillneedtobeamendedinlightofnewRegulationsandanewCodeofPracticebeing issuedbytheDepartmentofEducationtogiveeffecttothislegislation.’
Guidelines for Elective Home Education1 8
Part 8: Family Support
8.1 Information for FamiliesFrom time to time, familiesmayexperiencedifficulties forwhich theymay seek supportfromothersoutsideofthefamilycircle,forexamplebereavement,physicalormentalhealthissues,financialadvice.TheEHETeamwelcomesanycontacttoseekadviceandsupportandcanalsosignpostfamiliestolocalsupportservices.
Furthermore the Family Support website is a useful resource providing helpful contactinformationforawidevarietyofservicesacrossNorthernIreland.
Thewebaddressiswww.familysupportni.gov.uk
Part 7: Safeguarding
7.1 Responding to a Safeguarding ConcernTheEAwillrespondtosafeguarding1concernsinthesamewayastheywouldforanychildattendingschool.WhereanEAofficerhasasafeguardingconcernwhichhascometolightinthecourseofengagementwithchildrenandfamiliesorotherwise,theyshouldfollowEA’sChildProtectionPolicywhichisinlinewithSBNIRegionalCoreChildProtectionPolicy&Procedureshttps://www.proceduresonline.com/sbni/
TheEA’sChildProtectionServiceforSchools(CPSS)canprovidesafeguardingadvicetoEAOfficers.
EAstaffwhoworkwithinthisareaofelectivehomeeducationwillreceiveappropriatetraininginsafeguardingandchildprotection.
7.2 Information on Vetting and Local Information for ParentsHome educating parents may occasionally employ others to assist with aspects of theeducationoftheirchildrenorengagewithprogrammesdeliveredoutsideofthehome.Ifahomeeducatingparenthasachildprotectionconcern,theycanseekadvicefromtheirlocalHealth&SocialCareTrustGatewayTeam(contactdetailscanbefoundinAppendix1).Parentsmaywishtoascertainifallappropriatecheckshavebeencarriedoutinrelationtotheadultswhomaybesupportingtheirchildren.Informationcanbefoundatwww.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks
7.3 Where to Find Additional InformationHomeeducatedchildrenandtheirparentsneedaccesstothesametrainingandawarenessraisingthatisavailabletochildrenandyoungpeopleattendingschool.InformationregardingtrainingandraisingawarenesscanbefoundbyaccessingtheEAwebsiteehe@eani.org.uk andtheSafeguardingBoardforNorthernIrelandwebsitehttp://www.safeguardingni.org/
1 Safeguarding is an overarching term that includes child protection which is an activity to protect children and young people from physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 1 9
Part 9: Community Use of Schools
9.1 Using School FacilitiesSomehomeeducatingparentsmaywishtoavailoffacilitieswithinlocalschoolse.g.SportsPitches,SchoolHalls,Science labs. TheDepartment ofEducation seeks to encourageschoolstomaketheirfacilitiesavailabletolocalcommunitiesoutsideofnormalschoolhours,howeverdecisions relating to theuseof schoolpremisesultimately restwithaSchool’sBoardofGovernors.
Ifhomeeducatingparents(onanindividualorgroupbasis)wishtomakeuseofthefacilitieswithina localschool (andsubject to theBoardofGovernorsagreement) theyshouldbeawarethatallcostsassociatedwithsuchusemustbebornebythepartywishingtoavailofthepremises-thisincludesinsurancecosts.Inanyarrangementpermittingcommunityuseofschools,responsibilityforthemanagement,controlandsupervisionoftheactivitiesbeingconductedshouldrestfirmlywiththeusergroups.Inordertoprotecttheinterestsoftheusergroupsandtheschoolinrespectofpublicliabilityclaims,itisnormalpracticeforusergroupstoholdcommercial insurance(currentlevelofPublicLiabilityInsurancerequiredissetat£10mat2018).MoreinformationinthisregardisavailableontheDepartmentofEducationwebsiteandtheGuidanceToolkitforSchoolsmaybeofinteresttoHomeEducatingParents.https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/community-use-school-premises
Guidelines for Elective Home Education2 0
Part 10: Public Examinations in Northern Ireland
10.1 Entering Children for ExamsParentsofachildnotenrolledinaschoolmaywishtoentertheirchildforpublicexaminationsandmaywishtoaskanapprovedcentre(orschool)ifitispreparedtoenterandlettheirchildsitexaminationsonitspremises.
Inallcasesparentsshouldinvestigatethoroughlywhether,andhoweasily,theirchildwillbeabletoaccessexaminations.Itistheresponsibilityofparentstoidentifyanapprovedcentre(orschool)whichisofferingthespecifictypeofqualificationtheywishtheirchildtositandtocheckwiththatapprovedcentre(orschool)iftheyarepreparedtoletachildthatisnotenrolledintheircentre(orschool)tositsuchanexaminationonitspremises.
AnopenqualificationsmarketoperatesinNorthernIrelandandschoolsmaywishtoofferGeneral Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) fromAssessment & QualificationsAlliance (AQA), Oxford, Cambridge & RSA Examinations (OCR), Pearson, Eduqas andCouncilfortheCurriculum,ExaminationsandAssessment(CCEA)forallGCSEsubjects,withtheexceptionofGCSEEnglishLanguage,wherethereisarequirementthatthespeakingandlisteningcomponentmustcontributetotheoverallgradeforthesubject.Inpractice,thismeanschoosingtheGCSEEnglishLanguagespecificationofferedbytheCouncilfortheCurriculum,ExaminationsandAssessment(CCEA).ThismaymakeitdifficulttofindacentrewhichiswillingtoenterindependentcandidatesforGCSEEnglishLanguage.
10.2 IGCSE ExaminationsTheCambridge InternationalGeneralCertificateofEducation (IGCSE)examinationwasoriginallydeveloped forprivate international schoolsofferingEnglish-languageeducationoutsideoftheUK.OvertimethequalificationhasbecomepopularwithindependentschoolsintheUKandmorerecentlytheOfficeofQualificationsandExaminationsRegulationarenowallowinguseofselectedIGCSEsubjectsinstate-fundedschools.
HomeeducatorsbothintheUKandabroadhavebeenchoosingIGSCEexaminationsastheydonothaveacontinuousassessmentrequirement. IGCSEcoursesdiffer insubjectcontentandexaminationfromGCSEcoursesandasthere isnocontinuousassessmentIGCSEcourseshaveamorerigorous terminalexamination.Studentscompleting IGCSEcoursesareabletoprogresstofurtherstudysuchasA-levelandBTECLevel3courses.
CambridgeIGCSEexaminationsareofferedthroughthemainexaminationboards in theUKandthereisafeeforeachexaminationtaken.TheIGCSEexaminationsareconductedinFebruary,MayandOctobereachyearandresultsreleasedinMay,AugustandJanuaryrespectively.IGCSEexaminationsaregradedinthesamewayasGCSEexaminations(A*-U). Resources to support students taking IGCSE courses are available commercially invariousformats.
10.3 Exam ConcessionsWhereahomeeducatingparentwouldliketheirchildtositpublicexaminations,concessionsmaybeconsideredasappropriate,forachildwithaspecialeducationalneed.TheJointCouncil for Qualifications Regulations and Guidance can advise in relation to accessarrangementsandreasonableadjustments.Guidancecanbefoundatwww.jcq.org.uk
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 2 1
Part 11: Careers Guidance
11.1 The Careers ServiceTheCareersServiceprovidesafreeandimpartialcareersinformation,adviceandguidanceservicetoclientsofallagesandabilitiesthroughoutNorthernIreland.Professionallyqualifiedcareersadviserscanhelpyoungpeoplemakeinformedchoicesabouttheirfuturecareerpaths. Careers advisers can also help parents/guardians with their child’s future careerplans.WhetheryourchildisatschooloreducatedathometheCareersServicecanhelpwiththeircareerdecisionmakingandplanning.
Careersguidancecouldhelpyourchildto:• knowmoreabouttheircareeroptions;• becomeawareoftheskillsrequiredtoachievetheircareergoal(s)andbebetter
preparedtoachievethem;• feelmoreconfidentaboutmakingdecisionsregardingtheircareer;and• understandtheimportanceofconsideringcurrentandfuturejobopportunitiesin
careerdecisionmaking.
11.2 The Careers Guidance InterviewA careers guidance interview is an impartial one-to-one meeting with a professionallyqualifiedcareersadviser.Thecareersadviserwill helpyourchildexplore their interests,likesanddislikes, influences,barriers,workexperienceandanycareers ideas theymayalreadyhave.Therewillalsobeanopportunitytoaskquestions.Ifyourchildisworriedthattheyhavenofirmcareerplansthecareersadviserhasarangeofresourcestohelpgeneratecareer ideas.A careersactionplanwill bedrawnup tohelp your childmove towardsadecisionandwilladdressthefollowingsteps:
• Whatstageyourchildiscurrentlyat;• Whereyourchildwantstobe;• Howwilltheygetthere;• Whocanhelpthemachievetheirgoal;and• Nextsteps.
Afterthecareersguidanceinterviewitisimportanttoaskyourchildabouttheiractionplanandencouragethemtotalkitthroughwithyouasitwillhelpyouseethetypeofsupportyouwillneedtooffer.
11.3 If your child has a learning and/or physical disability the Careers Service can help?Careersadvisersaretrainedtotailorsupporttomeetindividualneedsandabilities.Ifyourchildhasalearningand/orphysicaldisabilitytheCareersServicecanhelpyouandyourchildplanforthefuturebyoutliningappropriateoptionsforeducation,trainingandemploymentandreviewingprogressregularly.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education2 2
11.4 ResourcesTheCareersServicehasdevelopedA Guide for Parents - How to help your child with their future careersplanswhichaimstoassistparents/guardianstosupporttheirchildreninfutureplanningandtoprovideinformationonthedifferentaspectsofcareersinformation,adviceandguidance.
AParents’sectionhasalsobeendevelopedontheCareersServicewebsiteonNIDirecthttps://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Careers-Service-parental-guide.pdf.
ContactinformationfortheCareersServicecanbefoundinAppendix1
Which Career for Me?
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 2 3
Part 12: Education Authority (EA) process when there is a concern
12.1 Introduction to the EA ProcessTheseguidelineshavebeendevelopedtoprovideparents,schoolsandotherprofessionalswithhelpfulinformationregardingelectivehomeeducationandtheguidingprinciplesoutlinedinpart1ofthisdocumentareatthecoreofourworkwhenengagingwithhomeeducatingfamilies.
Therewillbetimeswhenaconcernaboutthesuitabilityofachild’seducationisraisedwiththeEAandtheEHEteamiskeentoworkinpartnershipwithparentstoresolveanyconcernstheremayberegardingthesuitabilityoftheeducationbeingprovidedbyaparent.
Concernsaboutthesuitabilityofachild’seducationcancomefromanumberofsourcessuchas,educationprofessionals,healthandsocialcareprofessionalsandalsoprivateindividuals.
Whereaconcernisraisedaboutthesuitabilityofthehomeeducationbeingprovidedtoachild,theEAhasadutytomakeappropriateenquiries.TheEHETeamwillaimdothisinaconstructivewayandincollaborationwithparentstakingintoaccounttheviewsofthechild,wereexpressedandwillofferopportunitiesforchildrentoexpresstheirviews.Thebestinterestsofthechildwillalwaysbethemostimportantconsideration.
TheEAhasathreestepmodelwhichisoutlinedinthissectionanditisenvisagedthatitwillbepossibletoresolvemostconcernsattheearlystagesofthisprocess(Step1andStep2),whereparentsandEAareabletoengageinaconstructivedialogueandexchangeofinformation.
WherethisisnotpossibleitmaybenecessarytoproceedtoStep3-TheStatutoryProcesstosupportparentsinmeetingtheirdutytoensurethattheeducationprovisionforthechildissuitabletohis/herneeds.
ItshouldbenotedthattheEAthreestepprocessisnotalinearprocesswhereparentsandfamiliesmustprogressthrougheachofthethreestepsrathertheprocesscanstopatanypointoraparent/familycanmovebackthroughthesteps.EArecognisesthatitcanbestressfulforafamilytobeaskedtoaddressconcerns,andtheEAseekstodoeverythingpossibletomaketheprocessclear,transparent,andsupportive.Mostconcernsaresatisfactorilyaddressedattheearlieststage,andatallstagestheEducationAuthoritywillseektoworkwithparentstosupporttheminprovidingasuitableeducation.
Thethreestepmodelisexplainedinthesubsequentflowchartsandsupportingexplanatorynote.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education2 4
STEP 1: Exploring a Concern - With Parents
1a/1b Where there is a concern that a child is not being provided with a suitable education
Where it appears that there is educational neglect and parents are not meeting their duty to provide a suitable education then the Education Authority must issue a “School Attendance Notice” via the Education Welfare Service (See Appendix 3) without delay and begin Step 3 of the EA process
1d FamilyprovidetoEAinformationregardingeducationprovision
1eEAEHETeamconsidersinformation
Nofurtheraction
ParentNotified Ongoingcontactwithparentstoaddress
concerns
1c EA EHE Team contact the family in writing or by the family’s preferred method of communication, if known
1gConcernsnotedbyEA
1f NoconcernsnotedbyEA
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 2 5
Step 1 explained...
1a Wherethereisaconcernastothesuitabilityofahome-educatedchild’seducation,theEducationAuthoritywillfirstaddressthesituationinformally,byaskingparentsforfurtherinformationabouttheeducationtheyareproviding.Thisisnotthesameas“satisfying”theEducationAuthorityunderregulation14oftheRegistrationandAttendanceofPupilsRegulations(NorthernIreland)1974orasaformal“SchoolAttendanceNotice”)underPart1ofSchedule13totheEducationandLibraries(NI)Order1986,andisnotnecessarilyaprecursortofurtheraction.
1b Parentsarenotlegallyrequiredtorespondtoaninformalrequest.However,itwouldbesensibletodoso,sinceifweareunabletomeetourdutytorespondtotheconcernweareobligedtoconsiderissuingaformalnotice,orproceedtotheissuingofaSchoolAttendanceOrder(SAO).
1c EAhomeeducationteamwillmakefirstcontactinwritingwherepossible,orusetheformofcontactthatisthefamily’srecordedpreference.Thepurposeofthiscontactistodetailtheconcernsthathavepromptedthecontactwiththehomeeducatingfamily,explainthatthisisaninformalapproachandadviseastohowtheparentcanrespondtotheenquiry.Informationabouttheireducationalprovisioncanbeprovidedinanyformatthatthefamilyprefers.TheEducationAuthoritymayimposeatimelimit,normally14daysandeveryeffortwillbemadetoensurethatboththeparentsandthenamedofficerwithresponsibilityforelectivehomeeducationintheEducationAuthorityareavailablethroughoutthisperiod.Wheretheinformalcontactismadeverbally(inpersonorbytelephone)theEducationAuthoritywillforwardnoteswithin14daysoutliningthesubstanceofthediscussioninwriting,bothforthefamily’srecordsandtoallowforanyclarificationsorcorrections.
1d ParentscanshareinformationwithEAusinganyformatincludingthosenotedinPart5ofthisdocument.
1e Whereinformationisprovidedbythefamily,itwillbeacknowledgedandconsideredbytheEHETeam.Wheretheparentpreferstoaddressconcernsverbally,theEducationAuthoritywillprovideawrittenrecordofthediscussionormeeting,includinganyconcernsraisedandactionpointsagreed.
Acopyofthisrecordwillbesenttotheparentswithin14days.
1f Iftheinformationwhichwasprovidedonaninformalbasis,reassuresEAthatthereisnothingtosubstantiatetheconcernastothesuitabilityofahome-educatedchild’seducation,thisfactwillbecommunicatedtothefamilypromptlyinwriting.
1g IftheinformationsupplieddoesnotreassureEAthatasuitableeducationisbeingprovided(i.e.thatconcernsremain),furtherinformationandclarificationwillbesought,andaninformaldialoguewillbeenteredintowiththefamily.Thefamilywillbegivenreasonableopportunitytoaddressanymisunderstandingsorprovideadditionalinformationbeforeanyfurtheractionisconsidered.FurtherevidenceshouldbeconsideredwithreferencetothedutygiventoparentsunderArticle45oftheEducationandLibraries(NI)Order1986.
• Note:WhereanissueisraisedwiththeEAthatisapotentialconcern,butappearstobefrivolousbasedontheprofessionaljudgementoftheEAEHETeam,theissuewillberecordedandnofurtheractiontakenatthatpoint.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education2 6
STEP 2: Exploring a Concern - when a parent does not respond to an inquiry from EA
2b Familydonotprovide information
2c EAwillcontinuetoseekcontactwithfamilytomakealleffortstoexploreconcernsinformally
2d Continuednon-engagementorconcernsnotaddressedwill leadtoamoreformalprocessbeinginitiatedbyEA
(see Step 3)
2a Ea EHE Team contact the family in writing by the family’s preferred method of communication, if known, requesting information about the education being provided
Where it appears that there is educational neglect and parents are not meeting their duty to provide a suitable education then the Education Authority must issue a “School Attendance Notice” via the Education Welfare Service (See Appendix 3) without delay and begin Step 3 of the EA process
Step2continuesfromStep1cwhereinitialcontacthasbeenmadewithafamilybyEA
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 2 7
Step 2 explained...
2a Pleasereferto1a&1binStep1.
2b WheretherehasbeeninitialcontactmadebyEAasperStep1(1c)andnoinformationisreceivedfromparentsafterareasonableperiod,attemptswillbemadetomakecontactagaininwriting,andbyotheravailablemethodssuchastelephonecall,e-mailoravisittothehome.Initialdifficultyinmakingcontactisnotevidenceinitselfthattheeducationbeingprovidedisunsatisfactory.
2c However,iftheparentrefusescontactbyallmethodsand/orrefusestoprovideinformationontheireducationalprovisionwithinareasonableperiod,normally14days.CaselawsuggeststhattheEducationAuthorityshouldconsideranddecidewhetherit‘appears’thattheparentisinbreachoftheirArticle45duty(SeeStep3:AddressingAConcern-TheStatutoryProcess).ThismeansthatfurtherproceedingsunderSchedule13shouldbeconsideredinlightoftheparticularconcernsraisedandanyinformationthattheEducationAuthoritypossesses.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education2 8
STEP 3: Addressing a concern - EA Statutory Process
3 FollowingengagementatStep1andStep2ifitstillappearstoEAthatasuitableeducationisnotbeingprovidedawrittenreportwillbesenttothefamilydetailinganyoutstandingconcerns
3a EAissuea SchoolAttendance
NoticeviatheEducationWelfareService
3b ParentcomplieswiththeNoticebysatisfyingEAthatthechildisreceivingasuitablefulltimeeducation
3d EAmayissueaSchoolAttendanceOrder(SAO)viaEducationWelfareService
3e ParentcomplieswithSAO
3hParentdoesnotcomplywithSAO
3i EAEHETeamwillseeklegaladvicewhichmayresultinappropriatecourtactionbeingtakenincludingaparentalprosecution.
3c EAnotifiesparentthatnofurtheractionwillbetaken.Reviewnolessthan 12 months aftertheconcernisaddressed
3f EArevokestheOrder
Reviewnolessthan 12 months aftertheconcernisaddressed
3g EAdoesnotrevokeOrderparentcanappealto the Minister ofEducation,DepartmentofEducation
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 2 9
3 Where it appears to the EducationAuthority that a suitable education is not beingprovided,afullwrittenreportofthefindingswillbemade.Thereport,whichmustbeissuedtotheparentswithoutdelay,mustclearlystatethereasonsfor theEducationAuthority’soutstandingconcerns.Thereportwilldetailanyelementswhichhavebeenaddressed satisfactorily, as well as the reasons for concluding that the provision isunsuitable(alongwithclearexplanationsforeach).AtthispointtheEducationAuthoritywillconsider issuinga formalSchoolAttendanceNotice to theparents (underpart1ofSchedule13totheEducationandLibraries(NI)Order1986)beforemovingon, ifappropriate,totheservingofaSchoolAttendanceOrder.AlternativelytheEducationAuthoritymay continue to engage informally with a view to resolving the concerns,dependingonthenatureandseverityoftheremainingconcerns.
3a ServiceofaSchoolAttendanceNoticeviatheEducationWelfareServiceconstitutesthestartofaformallegalprocess.Theparentsshouldbeadvisedthattheyareentitledtoseekappropriatelegaladvice.Fulldetailsofanyconcernswillbeprovided.
InthecaseofaformalSchoolAttendanceNoticethetimeperiodallowedforrespondingmustbenolessthanfourteendaysfromthedateitisserved.EveryreasonableeffortshouldbemadetoensurethatboththeparentsandthenamedofficerwithresponsibilityforelectivehomeeducationintheEducationAuthorityRegionareavailablethroughoutthisperiod.ForexamplethetimelimitshouldnotincludeschoolholidaysorexpireneartoschoolholidayswhentheremaybenoappropriatepointofcontactforparentswithintheEducationAuthority.
3b If the parent provides evidence in response to a School Attendance Notice whichsatisfiestheEducationAuthoritythatasuitableeducationisbeingprovided,theparentwillbeinformedinwritingpromptlythatthematterisresolvedandnofurtheractionwillbetaken.
3c Regulation14ofRegistrationandAttendanceofPupilsRegulations(NorthernIreland)1974indicatesthattheEducationAuthorityshouldnotplaceanyfurtherrequirementsonsuchparentswithinaperiodoftwelvemonths.Thereafterifthesameconcernsareraisedwithoutnewevidence,theEducationAuthoritywillconsiderwhetheritwouldbeproportionateorconstructivetore-investigate.TheEAwillinvestigateifnewevidencebecomesavailable.
3d IfaparentonwhomaschoolattendancenoticehasbeenservedfailstosatisfyEducationAuthority,within theperiodspecified in thenotice, that thechild is receivingsuitableeducation,andintheopinionofEAitisexpedientthatthechildshouldattendschool,theAuthorityisrequiredtoserveaSchoolAttendanceOrderontheparent,requiringhim/hertocausethechildtobecomearegisteredpupilataschoolnamedintheorder(Schedule13,paragraph1(2)ofthe1986Order).
3e Parentregisterstheirchildatschool.
3f EArevokestheSchoolAttendanceOrderandreviewsnolessthan12months.
Step 3 explained...
Guidelines for Elective Home Education3 0
Part 13: Data Protection
OperationoftheseguidelineswillfullycomplywiththeGeneralDataProtectionRegulations2016(effectiveMay2018)andtheDataProtectionAct2018.
3g Ifatany timetheparentapplies to theEducationAuthorityrequesting that theorderberevokedonthegroundthatarrangementshavebeenmadeforthechildtoreceivesuitableeducationotherwisethanatschool,theAuthorityshallcomplywiththerequest,unless it isof theopinionthatnosatisfactoryarrangementshavebeenmadefortheeducationofthechildotherwisethanatschool.IftheEducationAuthorityrefusestorevoketheOrder,parentscanreferthemattertotheDepartmentofEducation.(Schedule13,paragraph2(2)-(4)ofthe1986Order).
3h WhereaparentonwhomaSchoolAttendanceOrderhasbeenservedfailstocomplywiththerequirementsoftheOrder,theparentshallbeguiltyofanoffenceunlessheorsheprovesthatheorsheiscausingthechildtoreceive,otherwisethanatschool,efficientfull-timeeducationsuitabletohisage,abilityandaptitudeandtoanyspecialeducationalneedshemayhave.(Schedule13,paragraph4(1)ofthe1986Order).
3i TheEHETeamwillseeklegaladvicewhichmayresultinappropriatecourtactionbeingtakenincludingaparentalprosecution.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 3 1
APPENDICES
Guidelines for Elective Home Education3 2
Appendix 1
Resources and Supports
Resources and MaterialsIf youareplanning tohomeeducate for a short period youmaywant to stay close to theRevisedCurriculum(NI),butthisisonlyoneofmanypossibleapproaches.Thereisahugeamount of informationand resourcesavailable onlineand in print about thewide rangeofdifferentapproaches that families takeandyoumaywish tostartyour researchbeforeyoudecidetohomeeducate.
Somepublishersextendschooldiscountstohomeeducatorssoitisworthasking.
Whilstresourcesandmaterialscanbeexpensive,thereisahugeselectionoffreeresourcesavailablelocallyandonline,sofamiliesonallbudgetsarecapableofhomeeducatingeffectively.It isgenerallybetternot tobeginhomeeducationby investing inexpensivecurriculumsorresources,butinsteadtospendtimefindingyourfeetandworkingoutwhatisworthinvestinginforyou.
Supports Newfamiliesconsideringhomeeducationarewelcometogoalongtocommunityorganisedevents organised by other home educators,making this a goodway for both parents andchildrentofindoutmore.Otherorganisationsmayalsobeabletoprovideyouwithinformationormorespecialistadviceifrequired.
Organisation
EducationAuthorityEAEHETeam
DepartmentofEducation
CCEA-CouncilfortheCurriculum,ExaminationsandAssessment
Children’sLawCentre
NIChildren’sCommissioner
SafeguardingBoardforNI
FamilySupportHubs
FamilySupportwebsite
HomeEducationNI
EducationOtherwise
PublicHealthAgency
SENAC
Website
www.eani.org.ukwww.ehe.org.uk
www.education-ni.gov.uk
www.ccea.org.uk
www.childrenslawcentre.org.uk
www.niccy.org
www.safeguardingni.org
www.cypsp.org/family-support-hubs
www.familysupportni.gov.uk
www.hedni.org
www.educationotherwise.org
www.publichealth.hscni.net
www.senac.co.uk
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 3 3
Accessing Careers Services• Logontowww.nidirect.gov.uk/chat-with-a-careers-adviser• Phone0300 200 7820tospeakwithanadviser• Gotowww.nidirect.gov.uk/careersfordetailsofyournearestoffice
SafeguardingIfyouareconcernedaboutthewelfareofachildoryoungpersonwhoisnotknowntosocialservicesyoushouldcontacttheSocialServicesGatewayTeamsinyourlocalarea.TheseteamsareavailableMondaytoFridayfrom9.00am-5.00pmexceptforPublicHolidays.Theircontactdetailsarenotedbelow:
• BelfastHSCTrust Tel:02890507000• SouthEasternHSCTrust Tel:03001000300• NorthernHSCTrust Tel:03001234333• SouthernHSCTrust Tel:08007837745• WesternHSCTrust Tel:02871314090
IfyouareconcernedaboutthewelfareofachildoryoungpersonanditisanemergencyyoushouldcontactthePolicebydialling999.
Regional Emergency Social Work ServiceForsituationsthatrequireanemergencyoutofhourssocialworkresponse(5pmto9amMondaytoFridayand24hoursatweekendsandpublicholiday)thecontacttelephonenumberis02895049999
NIChildSexualExploitationHelplineNumber-08003891701
Other Useful InformationSchoolStartingAge–AGuideforParentscanbefoundat www.eani.org.uk
Guidelines for Elective Home Education3 4
Appendix 2
School Absence Recording and SA1 Form
SchoolsshouldhaveaPupilAttendancePolicyandtheproceduresforrecordingabsenceandcommunicatingwithparentsshouldbeclear.Ifaschoolisconcernedaboutapupil’spatternofattendanceareferralshouldbemadetotheEducationWelfareService(EWS)forsupportandtheEWSshouldalsobemonitoringpupilabsencesatschoollevelduringtermlyauditswhichwillalsoidentifythosepupilswhorequiresupport.
SinceSeptember2010,parentshavehadtherighttoderegistrationoftheirchildfromschoolforthepurposesofprovidingelectivehomeeducation(EHE).Priortothis,youngpeoplewererequiredtoremainontheregisteroftheschool,butweremarkedwithanabsencecodereflectingthattheywerebeingeducatedotherthanatschool.
Thereareanumberofreasonswhyachildcanberemovedfromaschoolregisterincludingamovetoelectivehomeeducation.
Parent advises that child is being removed under Regulation 6(2) of The Registration and Attendance of Pupils Regulations (NI) 1974 [No. 78], for example elective home education.
(DepartmentofEducationCircular2017/12)https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/circular-201812-attendance-guidance-and-absence-recording-by-schools
Parentsshouldinformtheschoolthattheyrequirederegistrationfortheirchildintheformofasigned,datedletteraddressedtotheprincipaloftheschool.
Theschoolshouldremovetheyoungpersonfromtheregisteronthedayfollowingthechild’slastattendance.IfrequiredAbsenceCode3‘ElectiveHomeEducation’shouldbeusedonthatday.
This code should be used for a registered pupil whose parents/carers have elected to educate at home and have advised the school or EA of the position. This code should be used from the date a parent/carer advises the Principal that they have decided to educate their child at home until the Principal provides a certificate of attendance (Form S.A.1) to the parent/carer, which states the reason for removal as “elective home education”. When Form S.A.1 is issued, the pupil can be removed from the General Register and there will no longer be a requirement to record their attendance. A completed copy of this form should be held by the school and a copy forwarded to the respective Education Welfare Service for information and an end date inserted on C2K. Copies of the form S.A.1 can be found in Appendix 2 of these guidelines.
DepartmentofEducationCircular2017/12https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/circular-201812-attendance-guidance-and-absence-recording-by-schools
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 3 5
SCHEDULE Regulations6(2),12,13and15 FORMS.A.1
EDUCATIONAUTHORITY
EDUCATIONANDLIBRARIES(NORTHERNIRELAND)ORDER1972
CertificateofSchoolAttendance(Tobefurnishedinthecaseofachildwhoisabouttobewithdrawnfromtheschool)
....……………………………………………………School
THISISTOCERTIFY
that………………………………………………………………………...................
residingat………………………………………………………………..................
attendedtheabove-namedschoolfrom…….……….......to………………......
Numberofattendancesduringthisperiod……………………………...............
Classinwhichenrolledattimeofwithdrawal…………………………...............
Dateofbirth(asgiveninGeneralRegister)…………………………….............
Causeofwithdrawal…………………………………………………….................
Parent’s*name………………………………………………………….................
Datesthisdayof20
Signed……………………………………………..................................Principal
*The expression “parent” in relation to a child includes a guardian and every person who has actual custody of the child.
Guidelines for Elective Home Education3 6
Appendix 3
EDUCATIONANDLIBRARIES(NORTHERNIRELAND)ORDER1972
SchoolAttendanceNotice
EDUCATIONAUTHORITY
Address:..................................……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………..................................
To: …………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………… ………………………………………….
AsitappearstotheEducationAuthoritythatyou,theparent*of……………………..whoisachildofcompulsoryschoolage,havefailedorneglectedtoperformthedutyimposeduponyoubytheEducationandLibrariesOrdertocausethechildtoreceiveefficientfull-timeeducationsuitabletohisage,abilityandaptitude,youareherebyrequiredtosatisfytheaboveboardwithin………….DaysfromtheserviceofthisNoticethatthechildisreceivingsuitablefull-timeeducationeitherbyregularattendanceataschool,thenameandaddressoftheschoolshouldbegivenIfthechildisnotinattendanceatschool,youshouldstatewhatprovisionyouhavemadeforhis/hereducation.
Signed:…………………………………................HeadofEducationWelfareService
Dateofsignature:…………………………..........
Dateofservice:…………………………..............
* In this Notice the expression “parent” in relation to the child includes a guardian and every person who has actual custody of the child
School Attendance Notice
Guidelines for Elective Home Education 3 7
References
Education&Libraries(Northern)Order1986RegistrationandAttendanceofPupils(Regulations)1974AttendanceGuidance&AbsenceRecordingBySchoolsCircularNumber:2017/15ParentalResponsibility:GuidanceforSchoolsCircularNumber:1999/17HomeEducationGuidelinesforLocalAuthorities(DSCF)
Acknowledgements
TheEducationAuthoritywouldwishtothanktherepresentativesfromthefollowingorganisationsandgroupswhoassistedinthedevelopmentoftheseguidelines:
Children’sLawCentreDepartmentofEducationHomeEducationNorthernIreland(HEDNI)SafeguardingBoardforNorthernIreland
Appendix 4
Guidelines for Elective Home Education3 8
top related