Our Process
New home educated children and young people
Once your child is registered with us, we will write out to you asking for information about the home education that you are providing. This information can be provided via a meeting with us in person at home or in the community, online via Teams, or in writing.
We will then make a decision as to whether the education that you are providing for your child is suitable. Where your provision is found to be suitable, we will send you a thank you email. Where a provision is found to be unsuitable or we do not receive sufficient information on a child’s home education provision despite requests, we will refer to our Child Missing Education (CME) Officer, who will make contact with you.
Reviews are subsequently held at least annually unless we are advised of any concerns regarding the home education provision and/or a change in the child’s circumstances, in which case we will contact you to discuss reviewing your child’s home education again. Paragraph 5.2 of the Elective Home Education Guidance 2019 recognises that the local authority must be able to act in the interests of a child, particularly where there has been a change in their circumstances. Paragraph 6.1 also specifically recognises that questions regarding the suitability of home education may arise where there has been a change in the circumstances of a child whose education was previously considered satisfactory. Under these circumstances, we would seek to satisfy ourselves that the child’s educational arrangements remain suitable and appropriate.
There is no legal requirement to either meet with the BELS Elective Home Education team or provide written information. However, where a parent/ carer does not provide any information or the information provided is minimal and/or does not indicate that the child is receiving a suitable education, we must presume that no education is taking place and make a referral to our Child Missing Education Officer, who may consider formal action under section 437(1) of the Education Act 1996.
Existing home educated children and young people
We will write to you at least annually asking for you to update us about your child’s elective home education provision. This information can be provided via a meeting with us in person at home or in the community, online via Teams, or in writing.
However, if we are advised of any concerns and/or a change in the child’s circumstances, we will contact you to discuss reviewing your child’s home education again. Paragraph 5.2 of the Elective Home Education Guidance 2019 recognises that the local authority must be able to act in the interests of a child, particularly where there has been a change in their circumstances. Paragraph 6.1 also specifically recognises that questions regarding the suitability of home education may arise where there has been a change in the circumstances of a child whose education was previously considered satisfactory. Under these circumstances, we would seek to satisfy ourselves that the child’s educational arrangements remain suitable and appropriate.
Where a parent/ carer does not provide any information or the information provided is minimal and/or does not indicate that the child is receiving a suitable education, we must presume that no education is taking place and make a referral to our Child Missing Education Officer, who may consider formal action under section 437(1) of the Education Act 1996.
Meeting with BELS EHE and/or providing written information
There is no legal requirement to meet with the BELS Elective Home Education team, introduce your child to the team or provide written information. However, where a parent/ carer does not provide any information or the information provided is minimal and/or does not indicate that the child is receiving a suitable education, we must presume that no education is taking place and make a referral to our Child Missing Education Officer, who may consider formal action under section 437(1) of the Education Act 1996.
How often the BELS EHE team review a home educated child’s home education provision
Ordinarily, we will review a child’s home education provision at least annually. However, where a child’s circumstances subsequently change, we may reconsider this position. Paragraph 5.2 of the Elective Home Education Guidance 2019 recognises that the local authority must be able to act in the interests of a child, particularly where there has been a change in their circumstances. Paragraph 6.1 also specifically recognises that questions regarding the suitability of home education may arise where there has been a change in the circumstances of a child whose education was previously considered satisfactory. Under these circumstances, we would seek to satisfy ourselves that the child’s educational arrangements remain suitable and appropriate.
Certification
BELS Elective Home Education reviews do not provide certification of a home education provision and do not prevent BELS Elective Home Education from making further enquiries where circumstances subsequently change.