Elective home education - dealing with inadequate provision

If, on considering the educational provision, there are doubts as to whether provision is adequate, the local authority may choose to further investigate whether or not an efficient education is being provided. If dialogue fails, a full written report on the local education authority's findings will be made and copied to the parents, specifying the grounds for concern and any reasons for concluding that provision is unsuitable.

It may be necessary for the local authority to serve a notice on the parents. Under Section 437(1) of the Education Act 1996, the local authority can intervene if they have good reason to believe that parents are not providing a suitable education by serving a School Attendance Order. Initially the local authority will serve a notice and this will allow a period of at least 15 days for the parents to provide the local authority with whatever information we require to satisfy ourselves about the suitability of the education. The parent may choose to do this by meeting with the local authority's representative either at home or a mutually agreed venue.

A School Attendance Order continues to be in force for as long as the child is of compulsory school age unless it is revoked. Parents may apply for School Attendance Orders to be revoked at any time because arrangements have been made for the child to receive education otherwise than at school. The local authority must comply with this request unless these arrangements are not suitable.