guidelines for elective home education · 2019. 4. 30. · elective home education is the term used...

EDUCATION AUTHORITY

Moving Forward

Guidelines forElective

Home Education

Review Date:

Guidelines for Elective Home Education 1

Guidelines for Elective Home Education2


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


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


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


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.


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)


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


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.


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.


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 [email protected]

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.


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


• 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.


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


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.’


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.


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


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


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.


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?


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.


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


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.


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


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.


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


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...


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.


APPENDICES


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


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


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


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.


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


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 education · 2019. 4. 30. · elective home education is the term used...

Documents