Many children unsuitably home-schooled - council

More than 900 children in Doncaster are in "elective home education", councillors have heard

A total of 104 children in Doncaster whose parents have chosen that they be taught at home are not receiving a "suitable" education, councillors have been told.

At a meeting this week, members of Doncaster Council's overview and scrutiny management committee heard that 951 children in the borough were in "elective home education".

Councillors heard that figure was significantly higher than a target of 500 set out in the report.

Lee Golze, service director for locality and early intervention, said the authority could offer help to families unable to provide adequate teaching for their children.

"One hundred and four children we know are not receiving a suitable education," Mr Golze told the meeting.

"We go out and see these families to find out why they aren't able to provide suitable education and we can offer support."

'Social skills'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Golze told the meeting that the council could also issue school attendance orders to make parents return their children to school if their education was not meeting required standards.

However, current laws meant there were situations where parents did not need to notify a council if they elected to give their children a home education – meaning there could be other children the council was not aware of.

Mr Golze said the authority believed the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill currently working its way through parliament could see the rules changed.

Councillor Glynis Smith told the meeting: "This worries me. Schools aren't just about education. It's about children being together and learning social skills.

"We saw as a result of lockdown what happens when children are at home with parents doing the best they can, but unfortunately not enough."

Mr Golze agreed, adding: "It is a worry."

Families who have taken up elective home education are asked to provide evidence their children are receiving a suitable education on a yearly basis.

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