What is the law?

Parents must make sure their 5-16 aged children receive an efficient full-time education - suitable to each child’s age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs

Main parent role in education?

To provide their children with an education which is a significant proportion of their school-aged life, including different opportunities for progress in areas of learning: knowledge, skills and understanding.

Elective Home Education (EHE) parent role in Derbyshire?

To openly acknowledge the full responsibility for their children’s education, with appropriate engagement with schools and Derbyshire County Council.

Derbyshire County Council’s EHE role?

To identify children who are being provided with EHE, and then promote positive relationships in order to protect children’s educational entitlement, including: - Safeguarding – to help prevent the likelihood of a child’s development suffering from significant harm. - Guidance – to offer constructive signposting.

Essential questions for parents considering EHE? 

• Do I acknowledge there is no allocated funding for EHE and no obligation to keep my child’s school place open? 
• Have I considered all transition / GCSE issues for my child? 
• Does my child, family and school staff all agree, after discussing concerns?
• Have school staff encouraged me in any way into thinking about EHE?
• Am I waiting for a preferred school, preventing penalty or exclusion? 
• Is EHE a positive choice and the best option for my child? 
• Can I provide sustained enthusiasm, funding, patience, space, support, time, well-being and commitment to all elements of learning and individual prospects – providing the best life-opportunities for my child?

Parents must provide an education → suitable to their child’s age, ability, aptitude and any SEN.

Parents should weigh up all opportunities → the best for each and every one of their children.

Parents can work in real partnership → EHE families and DCC.

Please do remember: Parents have a legal duty: to make certain their child receives an efficient fulltime education suitable to age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs (SEN) – the Local Authority (LA) must also discharge their duty, by means of a reasonable and proportionate approach, to ensure a child’s development is progressing well.

Information updated January 20025