Home education review will examine safeguarding
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The government has charged former director of children's services for Kent, Graham Badman, with finding out whether home education is being used as a cover for child abuse, such as neglect, forced marriage or sexual exploitation.
Badman is heading up the Elective Home Education Review, due to conclude in May 2009, which will explore whether local authorities are able to safeguard home educated children sufficiently.
He will also consider whether home educating parents have adequate access to support and advice.
Meanwhile the Department for Children, Schools and Families has published revised guidance for local authorities on children missing education.
It emphasises that local authorities have a duty to make sure every school-age child receives a suitable education.
Badman said that the review would focus on whether the current home education system supports parents and local authorities' rights and responsibilities.
He said: "Legislation affords every parent the right to choose to educate their child at home but with those rights go responsibilities, not least being to secure a suitable education."
Annette Taberner, a member of Education Otherwise's Government Policy Group, which campaigns on behalf of home educators, said she was dismayed at the government's decision to review home education guidance.
She said: "It has become clear to us that the DCSF and many local authorities have a very poor understanding of home education and the law which applies to it. No other community would be expected to suffer the prejudice and discrimination, which our community has to endure."
