The Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has approved the revised Elective Home Education (EHE) Policy, which reflects recent changes to legislation in relation to home education.
Last updated in 2007, the policy promotes a proactive approach from the local authority in ensuring that those children being educated at home receive a quality education and are safeguarded.
The document encourages a collaborative approach between the local authority, home educators and relevant agencies, including schools, social services and health-related organisations. This multiagency support is vital for sharing appropriate resources and information to establish a comprehensive support system for children and their families.
The demographics of families choosing to home school their children are also collated, so that home educators can be best assisted, and that the local authority has an oversight of the educational strategies being used.
The revised policy advocates strengthened relations between the council and the home, with the education and safeguarding of the child being priority areas. The local authority will monitor and protect vulnerable children, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to take care of their welfare.
If the elective home education is deemed to fall short of an acceptable standard, whilst also considering the wishes of the child, the council can issue School Attendance Orders (SAO) so that the learner receives the education that they deserve.
Cllr Martyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services, said: “We fully support families choosing to home educate their children.
“Every child of compulsory school age has the right to a full-time education that is best suited to their needs, whether it is received at home or at school. As a local authority, it is our duty to ensure that all children across the county borough receive a quality education and the EHE Policy is vital in supporting this.
“The EHE Policy is essential to safeguarding the wellbeing and educational rights of children and young people.”