Freedom for Children to Grow

The Home Education Campaign - Latest News

In order to keep up to date with the latest news within the Campaign, you can:

• Bookmark this site
• Subscribe to our news feed here - ;
• Sign up for our mailing list;
• Subscribe to EO's YouTube Channel by clicking on the following button:
• 

Jump to: Ofsted Report on Children Missing Education Government directive: Don't Use 5 Outcomes Language Serious Case Review Correction Birmingham Council Failed to Correct Problem Over Six Years Birmingham Safeguarding Board website addendum Press Release - Confusion in Khyra Ishaq Serious Case Review ContactPoint: Government Knew Risks in 2008 Department for Education website statement on college funding EO response to Ofsted Report on Home Education College Funding: Please write to your MP Home Education goes to Schools Minister Education Otherwise Announces Appointment of New Media Spokesperson New Government and new Minister for Education Hung parliament: what happens in the next two weeks DCSF to send clarification to LAs on college funding after the Election DCSF guarantee: LAs can recoup money for college fees 14-16s in AP census January 2011 Home Education 16\+ Details about Child Benefit Entitlement Children Schools and Families Act 2010 now available as web page Consultation on Dedicated Schools Grant: chance to ask Government about funding Children Schools and Families Act 2010 is now available online Children Schools and Families Act 2010 receives Royal Assent EO press release: Government drops licensing scheme for home educators Government Forced to Drop Home Ed Clause Education Otherwise Westminster Briefing Event Session June 17th EO response to consultation on Welfare to Work Work-for-benefit changes when child is 3, deadline Monday 29th March Children Schools and Families Bill: Woman's Hour Home education clampdown in Sweden: message from Rohus House of Lords Minister says LAs will be told about new SEN letter DCSF longitudinal feasibility study delayed till after Election DCSF new letter - not mandatory to see child or home if statement of SEN Revised shorter web pages giving the latest political summary Conservative spokesperson in Lords puts amendments to remove home education proposals DCSF Research expected to begin on May 12th Birmingham Couple Sentenced Government runs out of time to change law on home education Why write to Lords and MPs now and what to say Mon 8th March: watch 2nd reading Lords \+ questions to Ed Balls Government asks authorities about safeguarding practice in home education New Ideas on Writing to the House of Lords Please pass House of Commons Research Paper to peers before Second Reading March 8th National Autistic Society talking to DCSF about recent SEN letter Press Release on Birmingham CSF Bill has now left the Commons with no time for debate Second Reading Lords March 9th Watch Report debate in Commons today Is DCSF creating new policy on school attendance orders and special needs\? Wash-up: revised pages on writing to MPs DCSF writes to LAs about home education and special needs Wash-up in May\? Still 2 months to lobby MPs New DCSF research: what's going on\? Johnson: can't pay if no register, Morgan: won't pay anyway Morgan tells Lords home educated families "opt out of funding" Update on adding MP signatures to amendments Last day for adding MP signatures to amendments leaving out clauses 26 and 27 Writing to the Lords Committee verdict: pig's ear/unworkable and deeply unpopular policy Outcome of proceedings from Thursday in Committee Home education debate in Commons February 23rd open to public Committee Chair Receives Parliamentary Petition Against New Measures New readers start here: where are we up to with Government plans Are Home Educators Worrying About Nothing\? EO Press Release asks does guidance contradict Minister on funding\? DCSF Position Statement has no legal status and is for information only Update from Education Otherwise 11-25 January 2010 Education Otherwise Research into Home Education and Social Care Local Authority views on registration and monitoring consultation NEETs Education Otherwise letter to Minister Vernon Coaker DCSF position statement not circulated to Bill Committee Panel Anniversary of the Badman Review Launch: Fuelling the Anguish MPs speak out against Government proposals for home education Open Letter Calling for Clause 26 to be Withdrawn Minority Groups Affected by the Government Home Education Proposals Further Written Answers from House of Lords Education Otherwise Statement on Government Plans to Change Home Education Law How To Get in Touch With Your MP This Week DCSF still refusing to talk about money Does Select Committee Support the Vast Majority of the Badman Recommendations Press Release on the Select Committee Home Education Report published today New Page on Government Proposals to Change the Law Home Education Impact Assessment Critique: Two new articles Briefing Paper on Government Home Education Proposals Parliamentary Petition Date Announced for December 8th Richard House explains why home education law should not be changed: now online Lord Lucas on the Home Education Clause in the CSF Bill Impact Assessment link Impact Assessment Published for Home Education Licensing Scheme Home Educators in a Headlock New law Announced 2 weeks Before Response to Consultation Parliamentary Petition Launched Before Queens Speech The Children, Schools & Families Bill Ofsted Chief Inspector says "inappropriate" to know which authorities will get a visit New All Party Parliamentary Group on Home Education Questions in the House about funding for home education Submissions to the Select Committee now Available Online Government Children's Czar uses Birmingham case against home education "I just wonder where it is all coming from" - money to implement the Badman Report Policy Based Evidence Making: New Article by Education Otherwise Sir Roger Singleton on the controversial Vetting and Barring Scheme Early feedback from EO Parliamentary Event Tuesday October 20th Briefing and Networking Event House of Commons 6\.30pm Sunday Times article by Alex Dowty published today Consultation Response Press Release: Education Otherwise to Give Oral Evidence to Inquiry Children, Schools and Families Committee Select Committee Announcement Home Education Guidelines Back Online DCSF Home Education Guidelines 2007 Consultation on Definition of Full Time Education Next Year Still time to send email to Government about the Safeguarding Bill Press Release: Report's Author Makes Urgent Request for Evidence Ed Balls Comments on Badman Report on Mumsnet Education Otherwise meeting with DCSF Updated Briefing on the Badman Review New Video - FAQs: Why Personalised Learning New EO Youtube Video A Response to the Report on the Review of Elective Home Education in England Over a Third of MPs Learning More about Home Education A View From the Lords: An Interview with Lord Lucas Informal Learning: An Interview With Dr Alan Thomas MSc, PhD, FBPsS New Education Otherwise video on home education has 1000\+ hits in 36 hours School is Not Compulsory - New Video Sussex home educators feature on BBC South East Select Committee Chair keen to find out more about home education Home Educated Young People Visit Westminster Latest Statement from Ed Balls Regarding Badman Report Select Committee: how to make a submission Education Otherwise Welcomes the Select Committee Inquiry into the conduct of the Badman Review Inquiry into the DCSF - commissioned review of elective home education Home educated teenager selected for DCSF Children and Youth Board Notes from meeting with barrister Ian Dowty: national inspection of children Notes from meeting EO and DCSF 30th June 2009 to discuss the Badman Report Government Tells Councils Not to Use Government Database Does school prepare children for the 21st century\? Home Education and the Badman Review EDM Lord Lucas Questions Minister on Missing Impact Assessment for HE Consultation Home Education Monitoring Legislation Childrens Rights Campaigner Gives View on Badman Report New Website Page on the Final Badman Report to Ed Balls June 2009 House of Lords: Grand Committee Welfare Reform Bill 5th Day Roland Meighan Response to Review Report Lord Lucas Asks for Comments EO Rejects Calls for Monitoring and Registration Publication of Home Education Review Report Field Trips to Look at Innovative Models of Good Practice Independent Schools Are Helping Home Educators With Exams How to tell your MP about the home education debate next Tuesday Home education challenge to Minister in the House of Lords Constituency MP Secures Home Education Debate in Commons Tuesday June 9th Letter of apology from NSPCC Preview Ian Dowty's article for Education Otherwise newsletter June 2009 Laming Review Launch Event Provides Opportunity to Question Ministers EO Recommendations for Improving Support to Home Educating Families Expert Reference Group - Identity and Terms of reference Telegraph Article: "Home schooling - a vision of the future\?" Minister Backs Down on Functional Skills Qualification as Part of New GCSEs BBC news clip on Essex council funding for home education NSPCC Review Response Now Online Council Gives Home Educating Parents £10,000 to Pay for Tutor Over three thousand people signed the petition challenging the Home Education Review Home Educators Speak Out at 21st Century School Conference Notes from EO meeting with Graham Badman and Liz Green Friday March 27th How to keep up with latest news from Education Otherwise Chair of Headteachers Conference defends home education in the Guardian today Schedule for feedback from EO meetings Friday 27th March Ian Dowty to attend Education Otherwise meetings with NSPCC and Graham Badman ContactPoint is "almost certainly illegal" EO to Meet Separately with NSPCC and with Graham Badman on Friday 27th March EO Press Release: Petition Challenging Home Education Review in Top 50 on Downing St Site Home education on Radio Five Live this morning EO Press Release 2nd March 2009 DCSF Acknowledges No Link Between Home Education and Victoria Climbie Protecting the Virtual Child Education Otherwise response to Home Education Review Graham Badman to meet Academics who have Studied Home Education Notes from Meeting with Graham Badman Notes from EO Badman meeting up here by this evening Home Education Review Page on Campaign Site Education Otherwise Meeting with Graham Badman EO Press Release 19th January 2009 Report of Meeting with Independent Schools Council Friday December 19th Private Schools Exam Centres: Urgent Feedback Needed Update to Education Otherwise Briefing Paper on Lone Parent Welfare Reforms JobCentre Information Pack on Benefit Changes Notes from EO Lone Parent DWP Stakeholder Meeting: Officials and Minister Kitty Ussher Social Security Advisory Committee Press Release Published Today Please Ask Your MP to Sign EDM Against New Lone Parent Benefit Regulations Flexible New Deal: What EO said to the Social Security Advisory Committee EO Draft Response to Consultation on Flexible New Deal: Will Affect Home Educating Lone Parents Education Otherwise Meeting with House of Lords Minister for Children Schools and Families Debate in Parliament on Welfare & Work Wednesday November 5th: Please Contact Your MP Observer Article Blasts Government Benefit Changes \(available online\) Education Otherwise Briefing Paper on the New Welfare Regulations Transcript of the Commons Committee Reviewing Lone Parent Benefit Regulations EO Lone Parent DWP Stakeholder Meeting November 13th Briefing on Jobseekers Allowance: Consultation Ends Friday November 7th Example of Email to Send to MP About Lone Parent Regulations Lone Parent Regulations - Urgent Call for Contact with Committee MPs EO "Suitable Education" Consultation Response - Additional Evidence Full Response to "Suitable Education" Consultation from Education Otherwise Education Otherwise Response to Suitable Education Consultation Merits committee report Merits Committee report out at 10 am today Education Otherwise to meet with House of Lords Minister for Children Schools and Families 569 Responses to Suitable Education consultation\. Deadline October 24th Article in Independent by Home Educating Journalist New Consultation from SSAC about Flexible New Deal for Jobseekers Briefing Paper on Welfare Reforms Merits Committee Meeting October 21st New Regulations will put lone parents on Jobseeker Allowance New English Language GCSE\. Please complete our survey Keeping Tally of Responses to the Suitable Education Consultation New Website for Education Otherwise 4 Questions You Need to Answer in the Suitable Education Consultation Read More Home Educators Responses to Suitable Education Consultation Downing Street Response to the Lone Parent Petition 10 minute email for "suitable education" focusing on SEN What do do about the "suitable education" consultation if you only have 10 minutes Chair of Children's Services IT Systems says ContactPoint will not be "tool in armoury of state" More Sample Responses to the Children Missing Education Consultation \( England\) Home education represented at DCSF parents' consultation events Children's Rights Organisation Asks for Questions to Local Authority about ContactPoint EO Letter to the Independent Concerning Johann Hari's Article Children Not Receiving Suitable Education: DCSF Meeting Report and Consultation Walkthrough Home educators dispute definition Education Otherwise CME Meeting with DCSF Not Back to School - Home Education in the Media Minutes of the Social Security Advisory Committee May 2008 Education Otherwise Meeting with DCSF Initial thoughts on Children Missing Education Consultation New Consultation: Changing Statutory Guidance on CME with Regard to Home Education URL for DWP consultation questions Consultation Questions for DWP "No One Written Off" Consultation on scrapping Income Support Petition Closes Tomorrow What Can We Do About Government Plans for Children Missing Education\? Consultation on Revised Statutory Guidance \(England\) for Children Missing Education Due August New Data Definitions for Children Missing Education Education and Skills Bill moving through the House of Lords Petition now has over 700 signatories Lone parents on Income Support: no vote before October/November 2008 Lone Parent Social Security Amendments Delay \? Update on Lone Parents Income Support Regulations Home Education Article in the Financial Times Alan Smithers: Home Education's Time May Have Come Petition for Home Educating Lone Parents to Remain on Income Support Reaches 600 signatories EO Consultation Response to Proposals Moving Lone Parents off Income Support Education and Skills Bill Receives Second Reading in Lords Education Otherwise Tells the Department Why JSA is Impossible Home educated boy is Student of the Year First Instalment of EO Response to Lone Parent Welfare Reform UNICEF Children at Breaking Point:: Education Otherwise Invited to Comment Education Otherwise letter to Children and Young People Now Head of DWP Parent Employment Division will Chase up Problems with Local JobCentre Local Authorities in England to be Responsible for Education and Training from 0-19 EO Press Release on Home Education Following Tragic Birmingham Case Government Consultation Event in Leeds Petition About Home Educating Lone Parents Now Up on the Downing Street Website Visit our new Action Points page on lone parents transfer to Jobseekers Allowance Isle of Man Consultation Response Consultation on new lone parent JSA regulations opens May 15th, ends June 15th Questions in parliament about home education funding Lone parents Income Support : Consultation Documents Available on May 14th Report of EO Lone Parent meeting with DWP Head of Parents Employment Division Probable Short-Run Consultation on Draft Regulations for Lone Parents on Jobseeker's Allowance Secretary of State Jim Knight says Government Has Made No Estimate of Home Ed Numbers Press Release: Lack of Appropriate Childcare Leaves Children Home Alone Isle of Man Propose Compulsory Registration and Assessment of HE Children Lone parents on Income Support : EO Meet with DWP Minister Jim Knight Answers Question About Number of Home Educators' GCSEs Question in Parliament Tuesday 25th March: Number of Home Ed Children Getting GCSEs New Lone Parent Page with Updated Links Second Round of DCSF Regional Events March 8th 2008 Schools Minister says No Intention to Collect Numbers on Home Education Update on Access to Exam Centres in Independent Schools Education Otherwise Meeting with DCSF Children Missing Education Team on Tuesday 1st April Tory Shadow Minister for Schools: Parliamentary Question about Numbers of Home Educated Children Exam-type conditions for GCSE coursework\? EO to meet with QCA on Friday 4th April New Sample Letters to the CEO of JobCentre Plus and to Constituency MP Charities Commission Consultation Launched Today on Public Benefit for Education Charities Lone Parents Jobseekers Allowance: Contact the CEO of JobCentre Plus Lone Parents Welfare Reform ; Please Write to Your MP Work & Pensions Committee Report on Child Poverty Recommends Flexible Approach to Welfare Reform Changes to GCSE Coursework Arrangements: EO to Meet with QCA Ministerial Speeches Due Today \(from Health, Work & Pensions\) About Welfare Reform Last Chance To Tell Department for Innovations How They Can Learn From Home Educators Listen Again To Radio 4 Home Education Friday PM Home Education on Radio 4 Today Experts Say the Government Has Much To Learn From Alternative Education, Including Home Education The Primary Review: will home education be in the news \? New Facility to Sign Up for Email Notification When the Campaign Site is Updated Contactpoint Petition: the Downing Street Response/Where Do We Go From Here\?

The Ofsted Report on Children Missing Education has just been published and may be found here - http://tinyurl.com/ofstedcme.

The Report draws attention to local authorities which do not follow agreed procedures or legal requirements with respect to children being unofficially excluded or failing to return to school after absence. Ofsted also has concerns over academies and independent schools not needing to report when children leave the schools.

An internal Department for Education memo published in Children and Young People Now reveals a shift in focus for the Coalition government.

"Key changes to phrases in the children's sector include the replacement of safeguarding with child protection, children's trusts with "local areas, better, fairer, services'" and using the term "help children achieve more" in place of Every Child Matters or the five outcomes."

The first page of Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board Serious Case Review concerning Khyra Ishaq now states:

References to "Educating Otherwise" and "Education Otherwise" contained within this Review refer to "Birmingham City Council’s Elective Home Education Advice Service" and not the Registered Charity 1055120 "Education Otherwise Association Ltd"

More information about Birmingham's misuse of the term "Education Otherwise" can be found here.

Education Otherwise has been putting complaints in writing to Birmingham Council since August 2004 concerning the Council's use of the term "Education Otherwise" or "Educating Otherwise". In March 2010 the charity wrote yet again to Birmingham Council reiterating that the term "Education Otherwise" had been registered with the Intellectual Property Office since 1998, adding: "We are anxious to avoid any possible misunderstanding in the media or in local or national government with regard to Education Otherwise, the charity, having any involvement with the tragic case of Khyra Ishaq. We would therefore be extremely grateful if you could provide a disclaimer making it clear that the term "Education Otherwise" does not imply any connection with the registered charity of the same name and if the council could find a different and more appropriate name for the council's home education monitoring service."

The lack of action from Birmingham Council over a period of six years and the failure to share information is symptomatic of an over-stretched under-staffed department. Home education services in local authorities receive no funding from Government and money for staff has to be taken from other services. In many authorities the task is simply taken up by someone working in another area such as Education Welfare or Traveller Education. The former home education advisor to Birmingham Council told Birmingham High Court court that he dealt with 350 families and operated without any backup or clerical support from the Council.

Comprehensive research carried out by Education Otherwise in 2009 indicates that local authorities spend an average of only £200 a year on staff costs per home educated child.

As reported earlier, the charity is still in discussions with Birmingham Council over the damaging misuse of the name "Education Otherwise". A short disclaimer was published on the Safeguarding Board website on July 30th.

Read more here.

Birmingham safeguarding board website now displays this wording:

[b]References to "Educating Otherwise" and "Education Otherwise" contained within this Review refer to "Birmingham City Council's Elective Home Education Advice Service" and not the Registered Charity 1055120 "Education Otherwise Association Ltd."[/b]

Food for Thought: Home Education for Teenagers In the News The DCSF thinks school is the best place for children. Here at Education Otherwise Campaign Website, we beg to differ Iris Harrison's HE Diary Press Enquiries

Join Education Otherwise Join EO Yahoo Group