Introduction:
We home educators find ourselves (yet again!) at a crucial juncture as we face another
consultation – this time on Guidance for Elective Home Education. The proposals have raised
concerns among home educators about increased scrutiny and potential restrictions on our
autonomy. In this article, we explore the purpose of the consultation, potential impacts,
criticisms, and offer guidance on how home educators can effectively respond to ensure our
voices are heard.
Understanding the Consultation:
The Department for Education’s consultation seeks to gather feedback and opinions on
proposed changes to home education guidance. The changes to the guidance are quite
concerning as they promote increased monitoring and interference, standardised expectations, and
potential limitations on the flexibility and freedom home educators currently enjoy. However,
this consultation, and the guidance, are written in such a way as to confuse respondents by
conflating home education with safeguarding concerns, referencing incorrect legislation,
research and official documentation in the footnotes, and wording questions in a leading way.
The consultation is also not properly accessible to children or young people because of the
confusing way in which it is presented.
However, regardless of the issues (and perhaps, because of them!), home educators are
encouraged to respond, as it will affect the entire home educating community.
Potential Impacts and Criticisms:
Critics have raised concerns about potential negative impacts, including biased guidance, lack
of options for home educators, potential data manipulation and breaches of data and privacy,
and inadequate representation of various groups. There is no evidence to support a need to
change the guidance, and current legislation and guidance provides the local authority with
sufficient powers to act where thresholds are met.
A lot of the protection that home educators have enjoyed for many years are removed by this
guidance, which encourages unlawful behaviour by local authorities, and breaches human rights
and the rights of children. The guidance is badly written and having two separate documents
for local authorities and parents, which do not align as they should, is hugely problematic, and
pits the two against one another.
Why Responding Matters:
Responding to the consultation is a crucial step for home educators to ensure our concerns are
considered and that government is made aware of our deep unhappiness with their proposals.
Home educators in the UK have come under continuous scrutiny over the past few years, and
we will all need to become more politically engaged if we are to avoid having politicians
legislate home education out of ignorance and short-sightedness.Responding collectively also
reinforces a sense of community and solidarity among home educators.
Guidance for Home Educators Responding to the Consultation:
1. Understand the intent: Look beyond the language used and comprehend the true intent
behind proposed changes. Consider potential future implications.
2. Use available resources: Leverage platforms like the HE Byte website and Fiona
Nicholson’s EdYourself website for political insights and comprehensive analysis. You can
also view informative videos to help you here. See below for more resources.
3. Stay informed: Keep abreast of the latest information and resources related to
the consultation through the home education community and available platforms like the
Home Education Action Group
4. Stand together: Unite with other home educators to show resilience and support. Reach
out to MPs and local councils to express concerns and advocate for home education.
5. Protect anonymity: If desired, respond anonymously to the consultation to safeguard privacy.
6. Watch detailed videos: Gain a deeper understanding of the consultation issues
through detailed videos addressing specific concerns.
7. Focus on clarity: Emphasise clarity concerns in responses, highlighting contradictions
or biased language in the proposed guidance.
Conclusion:
As home educators face potential changes in regulations, responding to the government
consultation is a critical means of preserving our freedom and responsibility in educating our
children at home. By actively engaging in the process, expressing concerns, and leveraging
available resources, we can shape the future of home education policies and ensure our voices
are heard and respected.
Resources and Support:
The HEByte: Thorough analysis and guidance on the consultation.
Fiona Nicholson’s EdYourself website : Political insights and a comprehensive analysis of the
consultation.
Home Education Action Group : Join online communities for support and advice.
The Home Education Channel : Access informative videos on YouTube covering key aspects of
the consultation.
Education Otherwise : Get help with guidance and updates on home education consultations.