Issue - meetings

This report acts as an update on local progress since the initial PDS briefing.

The Corporate Director introduced this report to the Panel. He explained that the Department for Education (DfE) has yet to announce the outcome of its formal consultation on Elective Home Education (EHE).

He said that the Education Inclusion Service has carried out a consultation with Head teachers to amend our Fair Access protocol to allow parents opting for Elective home Education a ten day cooling off period before their children are removed from a school roll. He explained that 60% of schools that responded did not agree with this amendment and cited concerns that it may adversely impact on attendance figures and that some parents may use this as a way of taking children out of school for holidays.

He said that he believed the Local Authority could engage constructively with those schools who had objected to the amendment to allay their concerns and provide re-assurance around how this system would be managed, so it does not adversely impact on Ofsted’s view of school performance.

The Chair asked if a breakdown was available as to the reasons given for parents choosing to home educate.

The Corporate Director replied that this information is not recorded as parents do not have to give specific reasons.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked that a report return to the Panel once the DfE consultation outcome has been given. She asked if the Local Authority ensure where possible, vulnerable children are returned to mainstream education.

The Corporate Director replied that officers do discuss with parents their options for education.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if there is a role for the B&NES School Standards Board in considering EHE.

The Corporate Director said that the subject had been raised with the Board and would likely return to them later in the year.

Kevin Burnett asked for how Public Health commissioners will create links between our school nursing team and the Children Missing Education Service to ensure EHE children have flexible access to health support.

The Corporate Director replied that the intention is for them to have regular liaison meetings.

The Panel RESOLVED to:

i)  Note the local updates contained in the report and that the Local Authority will continue to be vigilant within the remit of the current legislation to ensure that where possible, vulnerable children are returned to mainstream education.

ii)  Note that the Department for Education (DfE) has yet to announce the outcome of its formal consultation on EHE and request that officers prepare a report as soon as information is available.

iii)  Note that the LSCB has been updated again on EHE and they continue to support the Local Authority’s approach to this issue.