Home Education Information for Parents

In January 2007 the Scottish Government published new Home Education Guidance. This new guidance was prepared following extensive consultation with authorities, home education organisations and other interested parties.

Parents have the right to educate their children at home, rather than by sending them to school, so long as they fulfil the duty of the parent of every child of school age to provide efficient education suitable to their children's age, ability and aptitude either by sending the child to attend a public school regularly or by other means.

• "Other means" include:
  • Private School
  • Private Tutor
  • Undertaking to educate the child or young person themselves.
• The parent writes to the Executive Director of Children and Families Service seeking consent to educate the child at home.
• The Education Authority will acknowledge the receipt of this notification.
• The City Council has a duty under Section 37 of the Act to ensure that the quality of education being offered is satisfactory.
• It does this via an Education Officer meeting with the parent(s) and child/children and making a recommendation to the Executive Director of Children and Families Service. In most instances this will be at the family home but a meeting might be held in a local library or resource centre. Although the Education Authority would prefer this meeting to be in person, parents may prefer to outline their education proposals in writing. The Education Authority would wish to determine the views of the child on the proposal. Again this would be preferable in a meeting with the family.
• Although there is no statutory right to appeal against an authority's decision to withhold consent to withdraw a child from school, parents may apply for a review of a decision to withhold consent.
• The frequency of ongoing contact should be agreed at the initial meeting. This will normally be on an annual basis and is intended to be a supportive process and to develop working relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.
• Although the Education Authority would prefer this ongoing annual contact to be in person, parents might prefer to provide evidence such as samples of work, written educational philosophy, photographic evidence, references from other people
• Provision of resources is a matter for the parent although the Education Officer will offer advice on appropriate resource materials. Parents are also responsible to ensure the suitability of any person they may wish to employ to assist with their child's education including disclosure clearance. Details of how to contact Disclosure Scotland are provided in Appendix 1.
• Home Education children may be entitled to Educational Maintenance Allowances. Parents should contact the EMA directly to obtain more information.
• Where parents have children with additional support needs, a clear indication of how these needs are to be met should be included with the home education proposals. Parents may ask the authority for help in assessing the extent of any child's particular needs, and authorities may request the support of Educational Psychologists/other agencies in determining whether permission for home education should be granted or whether home education being provided is suitable and efficient.
• Parents considering home education are advised to refer to the Scotland Government's guidance. 

If you require further information the City Council contact person is:

John Lannon Principal Officer
Strategy and Performance Children and Families Service
Tel: 01382 307151

Ruth McConnachie Depute
Accessibility and Inclusion Service St Paul's R.C. Academy
Gillburn Road Dundee
DD3 0EH
Tel: 01382 438099 / 8079 / 4142