Parents condemn plans for councils to 'police' home education

Kent Online, 24th June 2009

Parents have criticised plans to allow councils to enter their homes and question children over their home education.

The plan forms part of a wide-ranging shake-up in the way parents who choose to teach their children at home are monitored.

There are about 750 children in Kent who are currently educated at home.

The shake-up follows a review conducted by Kent County Council's former children's services director Graham Badman.

His report also recommends that there should be a compulsory registration scheme and that councils should have the power to order under-16s to school if there are concerns about their safety or quality of education.

The proposals - which have been accepted by the Government - have prompted a backlash among parent groups.

Alexander Roarke, a Kent-based trustee of the charity Education Otherwise, said: "We reject the disproportionate and unreasonable recommendations set out in this report for compulsory registration and invasive monitoring.

"Someone from the local authority is now allowed to enter my home, take my children and interview them without me being present...that is a power that only the police have."

Until now, local authorities have had no statutory powers to monitor those educated at home - but have been required to ensure all children receive a suitable education.

According to Mr Badman's report, parents and guardians "must provide a clear statement of their educational approach, intent and desired outcomes for the child over the following twelve months".

He said parents would be judged against their education plans.

The review was triggered by concerns that some children educated at home could be at risk of abuse.