Elective home education (EHE)

EHE (Elective Home Education) is when a parent chooses to have their child educated outside of the usual full-time school. Parents assume responsibility for ensuring their child receives a full-time education. They also take on all associated costs (such as exam fees).

The local authority should not stop an EHC plan because the child or young person is being home educated. The LA must also still review the plan every year. This is to assure itself that

• the provision set out continues to be appropriate and;
• that their special educational needs (SEN) continues to be met (paragraph 10.32 of the Code).

The LA must use the same legal process to review the EHC plan, even if the child or young person is being home educated.

North Somerset SEND team have an identified officer responsible for electively home educated children and young people. 

They will arrange, chair and submit a report from the annual review meeting.

Parents who wish to home educate their child (rather than have the LA secure any required provision) do not need school’s permission. 

You will need to write to:

1. the school and explain that you intend to educate your child at home
2. the LA and ask it to amend Section I of the EHC plan to record that the your child will be educated at home

If your child is at a special school, you will also need to ask the LA to agree to their name being taken off the school roll.

If the current educational placement is not working and you do not want to home educate, it may be better to change the EHC plan. This way we can set out different special educational provision and/or name a different school/placement. This is the preferred route rather than you making any attempts to home educate without support.

Do you need LA permission to educate your child at home

You do not need to get the LA’s approval to educate your child at home, unless your child is at a special school. 

For children attending a special school, you will need agreement from the LA to remove your child from the school roll and home educate. 

If you felt pressured into electively home educating your child

Parents should not be placed under any pressure by schools or other professionals to electively home educate their child. 

If you feel under any pressure to keep your child at home and educate them yourself, rather than sending them to school, we recommend that you discuss this with your SEND officer. 

EOTAS and EHE (Elective Home Education)

No, EOTAS is not the same as elective home education (EHE). 

With an EOTAS package, the LA is responsible for arranging and paying for the provision.