EDM 820: Wellbeing of home educated children

That this House recognises that for many children and their families, personalised home education is the best choice, and therefore affirms the rights of parents to choose home education where it is in their child’s best interest; notes that, in and of itself, home education does not present a safeguarding risk; further notes that existing child protection frameworks should be strengthened; believes that the implementation of a register of children not in school should not impose burdensome or disproportionate levels of oversight on home educators; further believes that details required within that register must be limited to those strictly necessary to safeguarding the wellbeing of the home educated child; is concerned at the potential for home education provision to be unjustly denied in cases where it is most appropriate for the child, particularly for children with SEND diagnoses; also notes the lack of support offered to home educating families in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill; urges the House to support amendments to that Bill to make examination free to home educated children; and further urges the Government to engage meaningfully to strengthen not weaken the wellbeing and life chances of home educated children.