Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child receives an education suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any additional support needs. While most parents fulfil this responsibility by sending their child to school, education may also be provided through home education.
Dundee City Council recognises home education as a legitimate educational choice for families and seeks to work positively and collaboratively with parents, carers, children and young people to support successful educational outcomes.
Families may choose home education for a variety of reasons, including:
- Religious or cultural beliefs
- Philosophical or educational approaches
- A short-term intervention for a particular circumstance
- Dissatisfaction with aspects of the school system
- A child's reluctance to attend school
- Difficulties experienced in school, including bullying
- Geographical or mobility factors
- A wish to meet a child's additional support needs in a particular way
Children's Rights
Dundee City Council recognises the rights of children and young people under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Children and young people should have opportunities to express their views regarding their education, including decisions about home education. Their views will be listened to and given due consideration in accordance with their age and maturity.
Do I Need Permission to Home Educate?
You are not required to seek consent from Dundee City Council if:
- Your child has never attended a public school in the authority's area
- Your child is being withdrawn from an independent school
- Your child has completed primary education but has not yet started secondary school
- The school your child attended has closed
Although consent is not required in these circumstances, families are encouraged to inform Dundee City Council of their decision to home educate so that information, advice and support can be offered where appropriate.
When Is Consent Required?
You must seek consent from Dundee City Council if your child is currently attending a local authority school and you wish to withdraw them for home education.
Requests should be submitted in writing as early as possible and, where practical, well in advance of the proposed withdrawal date.
Requests should be sent to:
As part of your request, you should provide information about your proposed educational arrangements and how you intend to provide an efficient and suitable education for your child. You are not required to explain your reasons for choosing home education, although you may choose to do so.
An Officer from Dundee City Council will contact you to discuss your proposal and guide you through the process.
Dundee City Council aims to process home education consent requests as efficiently as possible and normally seeks to reach a decision within six weeks of receiving the information required to make a fully informed decision
What Is Expected of Home Education?
There is no requirement for home education to replicate school education.
Parents must ensure, hoever, that education is:
- Efficient
- Suitable to the child's age, ability and aptitude
- Appropriate to any additional support needs
- Capable of supporting the child's learning and development
Parents remain fully responsible for providing their child's education while they are home educated.
Additional Support Needs
Parents of children and young people with additional support needs should be aware that choosing home education may affect how services and supports are provided.
Dundee City Council will discuss any implications with families and will continue to provide information, advice and signposting to appropriate services and agencies where available in line with statutory duties and local arrangements.
Contact and Review Arrangements
Dundee City Council seeks to maintain positive and constructive relationships with home educating families.
With the agreement of families, the Council will normally maintain contact on an annual basis to discuss educational progress and ensure that suitable educational provision continues to be available.
Children and young people will be offered opportunities to share their views as part of this process where they wish to do so.
Ongoing Advice and Support
Home educating families remain valued members of the Dundee educational community.
Although the Council would not normally provide educational resources, equipment or learning materials, families can continue to contact Dundee City Council for:
- Advice on home education arrangements
- Signposting to relevant services and supports
- Information regarding additional support needs
- Advice regarding qualifications and future learning pathways
- Information about post-16 opportunities and positive destinations
- Advice regarding transition planning to further education, training, employment or adult services where appropriate
Home Education enquiries should be directed to ASN@dundeecity.gov.uk
Enquiries are coordinated by Carol Shaw, Principal Teacher for Inclusion.
Further Information