Joanna Conway, Education Safeguarding / CME Officer, INVISIBLE CHILDREN Joanna Conway, Education Safeguarding / CME Officer, Darlington Borough Council

‘Invisible Children’: working with partners to keep Elective Home Educated young people safe. Background Elective Home Education (EHE) in Darlington January 17 101 children EHE

Approximately how many children are elective home educated in England and Wales?

There are over 50,000 children that are EHE in England and Wales, 17/18.

What responsibility do parents have in regards to their child’s education?

Parental Responsibility The responsibility for a child’s education rests with the parents. It is the duty of each parent: To ensure that their school age child is educated. To delegate that duty to a school, or carry it out themselves. To ensure the education provided is efficient and full time. To ensure the education is suitable to the child’s age, ability and aptitude. If their child has special education needs, the education must meet their child's needs. Education is compulsory, school is not

What legal duties does a Local Authority have to see or check education for EHE children?

Local Authority legal duties Each Local authority retains a register of elective home educated children. No statutory duty in relation to monitoring of home education on a routine basis. Local authorities intervene on safeguarding grounds or if a suitable education is not being provided. Local authorities do not have the power to enter a home. In fact, they do not actually have to see, nor insist upon seeing a home schooled child, unless there are grounds for concern. (Education Act 2002)

Invisibility The risk from invisibility of EHE children has been widely reported on in national publications and specifically mentioned in a triennial analysis of serious case reviews.

Triennial Analysis of SCRs 2011-2014 Invisibility Triennial Analysis of SCRs 2011-2014 https://Child Practice Review Report 2015

January 2017 To reduce the number EHE children who are currently invisible to services, a multi agency approach. …… Of the 101 children in Darlington, 57 were recorded as not having been seen by agencies in 18 months! The main concern is not the education itself but the invisibility of the child Who acts as the “buffer”? Current legislation does not lend itself to enabling local authorities to enter a home and check on the wellbeing of a child Current legislation also prevents the safeguarding of children and families

Information Sharing

Invisible children – the response Prioritisation of cases No evidence of suitable education Not seen by any agencies Concern raise by agencies Unannounced home visits - EHE Team Escalation process - joint visits – Police, Social Care & Local Authority

Child 1: 14 year old boy. Initial refusal to answer door. Very thin Child 1: 14 year old boy. Initial refusal to answer door. Very thin. Anxious. Joint sec 47 investigation. Medical. Child 2: 14 year old girl. Initial refusal to enter. Crying. Home alone. Previous DA. Left school due to bullying. Pale, thin & anxious. Agoraphobic? Joint sec 47 investigation. Medical. Mental Health intervention required. Child protection plan.

The positive response is that these children have been seen and supported PRIOR to reaching crisis point.

Conclusion Proactive multi-agency approach has provided the buffer for children who are EHE, whose parents do not engage with the Local Authority or other agencies. Existing legislation does not promote the ‘child’s voice’ in the monitoring process of suitable education. DfE, EHE consultation April 18 – currently awaiting outcome.

Do you know if children who are EHE in your area are safeguarded? Who are your key contacts in your LA? Children Missing Education Officer Elective Home Education Team / Officer Schools Admissions Department Traveller Education Service

Questions