Agenda item

(To receive a report from Jill Chandar-Nair, Inclusion and Attendance Manager, which provides data and an analysis of the situation to support the Committee's understanding of any potential risks to children's welfare and learning)

Councillor Maughan took the Chair for the start of this item, as the Chairman had encountered some IT issues.

The Vice-Chairman invited Jill Chandar-Nair, Inclusion and Attendance Manager, to introduce the report, which provided the Committee with an update on Elective Hone Education (EHE) since schools had re-opened in September 2020.

The Committee was advised that EHE was a parental choice and one chosen by parents who wished to educate their children at home for a variety of reasons.

It was reported that during lockdown when schools had been closed notifications of EHE had been very low, as there was no requirement to send children to school and in theory, all parents were home educating their children.  Once schools had re-opened in September 2020, there had been a significant increase in the number of parents who had chosen to home educate.  The Committee was advised that a total of 357 Elective Home notifications had been received; this was approximately 160 more referrals for the period March to October 2020, compared to the previous year.  Appendix A to the report provided the Committee with EHE Data for the period 1 September 2020 to 9 October 2020. 

The Committee noted as a result of the pandemic, some parents had chosen not to send their children to school and had opted to temporarily home educate.  It was highlighted that schools were supporting families who were anxious about sending their children to school during the pandemic.  Page 46 of the report provided some information as to the reasons parents had chosen to home educate; and the process followed once an EHE submission was deemed as being satisfactory.

Councillor R J Kendrick (Chairman) re-joined the meeting.

In conclusion, it was noted that whilst it was a parental choice to home educate, from the information gathered there was now a new cohort of parents who were making a choice to keep their children safe as a result of the pandemic.  It was highlighted that there did not appear to be a disproportionate number of vulnerable children amongst the new EHE referrals.  As with any change it was anticipated that the period out of school was likely to impact on some of the children's learning.

During discussion the Committee raised the following points:

·       Whether the team had sufficient resources to deal with the increase in number of requests for EHE.  The Committee was advised there had been some pressure, but the EHE team was always constantly looking at processes to ensure that things were being done in the most efficient way; and those children that were more vulnerable were prioritised;

·       Whether the introduction of the vaccine in 2021 was likely to see some children returning to school.  It was highlighted that there seemed to be an indication once parents were happy that the environment for their children was safe, some children would be returning to school;

·       Some concern was expressed relating to educational attainment levels and whether these would differ to mainstream education.  The Committee was advised that parents were made fully aware of qualifications.  The Committee noted further that home education was lawful and that parents had that positive choice;

·       One member enquired why the number for EHE in the East Lindsey District Council area appeared to be higher than other districts.  The Committee noted that numbers in the East Lindsey area had always been higher, the Committee noted further that some groups had been set up in the area to help support children;

·       One member enquired if a national register existed, which monitored attainment.  It was noted that a national register did not exist, however, luckily in Lincolnshire some families did register with schools, but this was not a statutory requirement.  It was noted further that EHE students were still able to sit GCSE and A Level qualifications at testing centres;

·       Provisions for transitory children within the county.  The Committee noted that there were difficulties with this cohort of children, as sometimes this was a cultural choice.  Those children that were more permanent within the county were supported and monitored;

·       One member enquired whether any research had been done to see if extended family households i.e. grandparents living in the household and being in a high risk category had influenced parents allowing their children to return to school.  Officers were not aware of any research pertaining to families having vulnerable people.  The Committee noted that other areas with a similar geographical area to Lincolnshire had also seen an increase in the number of EHE applications compared to previous years.

The Chairman extended his thanks to the Inclusion and Attendance Manager for the presentation.

RESOLVED

          That the update on Elective Home Education be received.