Home education charity, Education Otherwise have hit back at the claim, arguing that Birmingham social services were at fault for not following up on concerns that were raised when Khyra was de-registered from her mainstream school.
In his statement the Children's Secretary said: "The trial has demonstrated, and statements from the police, confirm that home education was a factor in this case."
But Education Otherwise trustee Fiona Nicholson argued: "For anyone to blame home education is a red herring designed to distract attention from Birmingham's lamentable child protection record."
The disagreement comes during the government's campaign for home educators to be registered with local authorities. Balls has used the case as evidence of the need for this legislation.
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