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Position Statement

Parents should not have to apply to the local council for permission to home educate their children and the Government proposals are a disproportionate intrusion into family life. Existing powers regarding education, welfare and safeguarding/child protection are sufficient, but the Welsh Government may wish to address the disparity in local authority procedures - as revealed by my Freedom of Information request, October 2012 The Welsh Government could usefully signpost to models of good practice.

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Links

Welsh Government consultation web link http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/education/registeringandmonitoring/?lang=en&status=open
Draft consultation form for you to rehearse your response before using official Welsh Govnt form http://edyourself.org/articles/walesconsultationform.doc
Summary of proposed changes http://edyourself.org/summarywaleschange.pdf via Briefing page here http://edyourself.org/articles/walesbriefing.php
Talking to Assembly Members in Wales http://edyourself.org/articles/AMs.php

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Introduction

In September 2012 the Welsh Assembly Government announced proposals for substantial changes to local authority procedures for dealing with home educated children. Some of the proposed changes would require the Welsh Assembly to bring in new laws, whilst other changes could be introduced using existing powers in law, without the need to go through the full legislative process.

Click here http://edyourself.org/summarywaleschange.pdf for 1 page pdf bullet points summarising proposed changes to the law in Wales. A public consultation seeking views on the Welsh Government's proposals will run till November 23rd 2012 and the Government has also commissioned 3 consultation events.

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dcells/consultation/120902registeringmonitoringen.pdf (Registering and Monitoring Home Based Education Consultation Document (13 pages) via this webpage http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/education/registeringandmonitoring/?lang=en&status=open

I've also set out the consultation document as a web page here http://edyourself.org/articles/welshconsultationdoc.php so that you can easily find what is included.

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Summary Main Points Proposed Registration Scheme

• Compulsory registration scheme for all home educated children
  para 21, consultation document, page 6
• Any child not on register must attend school (or alternative provision)
  para 22, consultation document, page 6
• Core registration details: name, date of birth, address, contact details parental responsibility, main location education, type of education
  para 23, consultation document, page 6
• Duty to notify LA of any changes to core registration details
  para 25, consultation document, page 6
• Registration refused/revoked if parent fails to satisfy LA that education is suitable
• Registration refused/revoked if LA becomes aware of welfare or safeguarding issues "that affect the suitability and effectiveness of the education provided"
  para 26, consultation document, page 7
• Meeting between parent, child and LA "at main location where education is being provided" within 6 weeks of application for child to go on home education register
  para , consultation document, page 7
• Meeting will cover education being provided or proposed, recap education history, special talents, special/additional needs, relevant formal assessments, parent's view of progress since home educated, child's view (subject to age ability and maturity)
  para 27, consultation document, page 7
• Within 6 weeks LA to decide registration accepted, registration pending, registration refused (giving reasons + right of appeal)
  para 29, consultation document, page 7-8

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Summary Main Points Annual Monitoring Scheme

The following are taken from paragraph 32, consultation document, page 8

• Discussion of provision made for development of intellectual skills, social, emotional and physical development of the child
• Methodologies and materials used and time spent on education
• Progress achieved by the child as described by the parent/educator
• Progress achieved as demonstrated in work
• Child's view of education and achievements (subject to age, ability and maturity)
• Any additional support, advice or guidance LA may be able to provide
• LA to write within 6 weeks annual monitoring meeting: registration granted; registration conditional on additional monitoring/information; registration revoked (right of appeal)