Agenda item

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform that presents the revised draft Elective Home Education (EHE) Policy.  Cabinet agreed on 7 July 2014 to defer approval of the revised EHE Policy, pending further consideration and a process of engagement on the revised EHE policy.

(Report by Mr R Gough, Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and Mr P Leeson, Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services)

(Ms L Simpson, Acting Head of Inclusion was also present for this item)

1.            The Cabinet Member, Mr Gough introduced the report on the draft Elective Home Education (EHE) Policy.  He explained that Cabinet agreed to defer approval of the revised EHE Policy pending further consideration and a process of engagement on the   revised EHE policy.

2.            Mr Gough highlighted paragraph 1.2 of the report regarding the significant increase in EHE registrations from 703 in 2008 to 1326 in 2013-14.  There was particular concern with vulnerable groups which had formed the focus for the revised Policy.  The current practise had shown that some families had been using EHE as a last resort and were not choosing the option proactively. Mr Gough identified that the law and guidance in 2007   offered no clarity as to how the local authority would know there was an issue.  Paragraph 4.2 highlighted the conditions where heightened risks would be identified.  A decision report would be submitted to Cabinet for consideration. 

3.            The Corporate Director, Mr Leeson, explained that there were varying positions from other local authorities on the issue of EHE but Kent‘s view was to be proactive.  There had been a rapid increase in EHE, especially adolescents who had been consistently absent from school or who had been excluded.   The Policy was required to ensure where there was some reason for concern, the child and the evidence of learning would be seen.   Where there had been a breakdown of communication between the parents and the school or cases of bullying there had been a good track record of getting those issues resolved and those children back to school.

4.            Mr Gough, Mr Leeson and Ms Simpson responded to questions by Members as follows:-

a)    Mr Leeson advised that   there were no exam results available for EHE.  There were 1400 EHE in Kent and half of those were not visited, there was no contact and there was no one monitoring them.

b)    Ms Simpson advised that 50% of EHE had visits and 300 had returned to mainstream education. 

c)    Mr Gough explained that the local authority had to act within the law and guidance and it could not exceed its powers.  Kent was doing everything it could.    If a child did not fall into one of the categories set out in the report where there is a whistle blower it would come under the category “reason to believe” which would give the local authority access.

d)    Members noted that there were excellent examples of EHE but the Policy was the best way to reconcile principles to keep children safe and well educated.

5.            RESOLVED that:-

a)    the responses to questions by Members  and the report be noted; and

b)    the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed that a process of engagement be undertaken on the revised EHE Policy, prior to consideration by Cabinet.