Agenda item - Elective Home Education in Brighton and Hove

Report of the Executive Director Families, Children and Learning.

RESOLVED: That the Committee –

      i.         Noted the information regarding the number of home educated children and how this reflects the regional and national position.

     ii.         Noted the Council’s process to safeguard children and young people who are Electively Home Educated and the mechanisms to engage positively with the EHE community in the city.

42.1    The Head of School Organisation introduced the report which provided        an update on the current numbers of Electively Home Educated (EHE) children in the city, a comparison   with other Local Authorities and the        reasons given for parents choosing to home educate their children.

42.2    Mr Muirhead raised questions regarding Homewood College and the       Schools Bill.

42.3    Cllr McNair raised questions in relation to Portsmouth City Council,        teaching provision checks, the reasons for children moving back to the school system, the Council’s role in encouraging home educated        children to return to school, and the ideological reasons for children being home educated.

42.4    Ms Robinson had queries regarding the role of community engagement in establishing the reasons children were removed from schools, the     language of the guidance provided to schools, and data on flexi-schooling.

42.5    Cllr Nield raised several questions regarding the metrics and outcomes         which EHE was judged against.

42.6    Cllr Meadows raised further questions regarding the reasoning for           children being moved to EHE, the proportion of children who are RAG        rated, and the potential of children falling through the gap and not         receiving an education.

42.7    Cllr Shanks highlighted safeguarding concerns.

42.8    RESOLVED: That the Committee –

      i.         Noted the information regarding the number of home educated children and how this reflects the regional and national position.

     ii.         Noted the Council’s process to safeguard children and young people who are Electively Home Educated and the mechanisms to engage positively with the EHE community in the city.