Queen’s Speech - Children, Schools and Families Bill

Home education was mentioned in the Queen's Speech as part of the Children and Families Bill.

Safeguarding the vulnerable - strengthening the powers of local authorities and others with regards to registration, inspection and intervention will mean effective systems are in place to protect those that most need it. The Bill will introduce a new home educators’ registration system and take new powers for Secretaries of State to intervene in youth offending teams that are failing and potentially putting young people and their communities at risk.

The BBC News summary of the Queen's speech includes:

Children, Schools and Families Bill
Offers pupil and parent guarantees for standards of education. Schools to be given "report cards". Promises "greater flexibility" for primary schools to set their own curriculums. Also ensures that all young people receive at least one year of sex and relationships education. Home educators will have to be registered and inspected. A review of the publication of family proceedings in court. Whole bill applies to England. Other parts cover Wales and extends in part to Northern Ireland.

Today the alarms have sounded that the government has officially declared war on home educator by stating the intention to introduce mandatory registration / licensing for parents. The Children, Schools and Families Bill cannot be thrown out completely at this stage but it is still possible to amend policy.