Is home education actually right for your child?

Is home education actually right for your child?

Home education has become increasingly common in recent years, it is often presented as a positive, flexible alternative to school — and for many families, it absolutely is. It can offer freedom, personalised learning, and a chance for children to thrive outside the pressures of the school system. But it’s also important to be honest: home education is not the right choice for every child, and it’s not the right solution for every family situation. It is important you fully understand home education and what it is and isn’t.

With the growing number of home educated children it is important to ensure if this is something you are considering that you know what to think about. Read this article then the rest of our site if you are considering home education, or are concerned things aren’t working out for you.

Some parents deregister their children because school has failed them — perhaps due to unmet special educational needs, bullying, mental health issues, EBSA (school refusal), or suspension. In these cases, home education is sometimes treated as a “pressure valve” for a broken system. But if a parent does not genuinely want to home educate, and is only doing so out of desperation, then home education may not be the right long-term answer. Local Authorities (LAs) have a duty to provide suitable education if you want them to, and for families in this position, the focus should be on proper alternatives: specialist provision, medical support, flexi-schooling, or other appropriate placements. This could be via s19 or EOTIS. A parent provided home education should not be used as a convenient way for the state to withdraw support. But for those who do not want to fight anymore, and for those who quickly come to understand what home education is and are happy with the parental responsibility, home education can be great.

It’s important to understand that if you deregister, the Local Authority will NOT step in and provide teaching at home, send work, provide a tutor or a curriculum. This misunderstanding often stems from the misuse of terminology, such as the term home schooling (which means the child is registered at school but can’t attend so the school temporarily provide learning at home, like in lockdown). Home education means the parent takes full responsibility for providing education, including the costs. The LA have no role in providing information, support or resources. For families who are not able, willing, or realistic about taking on this role, home education can quickly become stressful and unsustainable.

Then there are families who genuinely want to home educate, but face practical barriers that make it extremely difficult. Socialisation is one of the most common examples. Many children thrive on meeting peers, attending groups, and taking part in shared activities (we understand this isn’t the case for all). But not all parents can easily access these opportunities. Transport issues, disability, caring responsibilities, financial constraints, or living in isolated areas can mean a child becomes socially restricted. For some children — particularly those who need strong peer connections to thrive — this can have a real impact on wellbeing. If a child needs regular social contact and the family cannot realistically provide it, then home education may not be the right environment for that child and it may be considered not to be suitable. There are lots of home education groups around the country, many with regular meet ups, if these do not suit your situation then we suggest setting up your own meet, or ask others if they’d like an informal gathering at a park etc. You would have to put the work in to ensure the social opportunities are suitable to your child.

The most important question is not “Can you legally home educate?” but “Is this genuinely the best option for this child, in this family, at this time?” And it is ok if it isn’t. There are some amazing services and groups to support you fight the LA or school.

Home education works best when the parent has all the info, has realistic expectations, adequate support, and a child whose needs align with what home education can offer. Our website has all of that information and we are here for support, plus you can join our Facebook group to chat to other home educators.