We are sometimes told that some local authority elective home education (EHE) advisers believe there are grounds for concern for some home-educated children (TES, March 30). This is presented as fact but needs to be challenged as it is a matter of hearsay. Since cases may not be cited due to confidentiality, we are in the dark about evidence for these allegations.
There is no funding for EHE at local authority level and no training for advisers, nor funding for educational resources. While advisers might be well informed and supportive of EHE, sadly it remains unclear because there are no national standards for EHE advisers. We are recommending that local authority personnel who come into contact with home-educated children should undergo regular professional training in EHE.
Fiona Nicholson Chair, Government policy group, Education Otherwise
