flowchart6.pdf
This is a flowchart which describes an appropriate series of decisions and actions for a Local Authority in England or Wales when they hear about a child who is not attending school.
It was created by Dani (Brighton), and she is happy to improve it, following suggestions from other home educators.
Please feel free to add comments here, or send them by email (link above).
This flowchart is available for use by anyone who thinks it may help them to respond to government consultations, engage in dialogue with their local authority, etc.
The flowchart was updated on 18th August 2008, following some comments by Ian Dowty. Further comments are still welcome. In particular, if anyone knows what should happen next if an application for an Education Supervision Order is not granted, please let me know. Thanks.
Further updated on 20th August 2008 (version 5), following more discussion by email and on the HE-Consult discussion list.
Further updated on 22nd August 2008 (version 6), following discussion on the ahedmembers discussion list.
25th August 2008:
Following discussion on ahedmembers and UKHE lists, here are two flowcharts.
Chart 1 is for LAs who hear about a child who is not attending school: CMEchart.pdf
Chart 2 is for LAs who have reason to believe a child in the area is not receiving a suitable education: Suitablechart.pdf
Comments (1)
starkfamily1@... said
at 10:53 pm on Aug 20, 2008
I have just had a look at this for the first time and I am thinking I must have missed something.
The flow chart suggests that if it is discovered that a child is a registered pupil in a school and following reports that the child is not attending school, attendance concerns may need to be addressed. However, the issue of the suitability of the school education is not addressed on this chart.
If it is discovered that a child who is not attending school is electively home educated, there is no relevant attendance issue. The place of education should be recorded in case of future reports of a similar nature regarding this child. However, your chart then raises the issue of the suitability of the educational provision. Why?
On the flow chart, following section 437 statutory notice to satisfy the authority, you have two possible options. One is a satisfactory result and no further action. The other is that in the case of an unsatisfactory result, the authority should consider an ESO. Why?
The section in law recommends that following section 437 notice to satisfy, if unsatisfactory, the authority should consider and decide whether it would be in the interest of a child to issue a SAO.
ESO is heard in the **secret family courts** ESO also takes away parental responsibility from a parent/s in education matters. Why on earth would we ever in a million years wish to recommend it?
Why, when attendance at the place of education frees a school pupil from all of the above threats, does attendance at home education not have the same benefit? Home education and school education have equal status in law.
The chart places all home education provision under routine suspicion of being unsatisfactory doesn't it, while school is routinely accepted as automatically suitable?
Has I. D.recommended it re children missing education?
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