What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure home education is a viable option for families across Wales?
Under our existing non-statutory guidance on elective home education, when parents elect to home educate their children, they do so in the knowledge that they assume full financial responsibility for this decision. However, the guidance highlights that local authorities are encouraged to support where resources allow.
As part of the new proposals for Elective Home Education (EHE), my officials are working with stakeholders on developing a ‘core offer’ available in all 22 local authorities with the aspiration to include:
- improved access to local exam centres
- full access to Hwb learning resources
- in conjunction with Hwb access, consider the possibility of including EHE learners as part of the blended and digital learning strategy
- careers support
- resource packs
- information/signposting to identified local authority services, e.g. counselling, youth services etc.
In addition to the core offer, there will be flexibility for each local authority to be able to deliver a bespoke local offer making use of local services and provision (including community schools) to further enhance the learning experience for children who are home educated.
Consistent with our intention to continue to build more positive and effective partnerships with EHE families the Welsh Government is providing local authorities with £1.7m in the current year to support EHE, and to prepare for the implementation of the new proposals in April 2023.
This provision is unique to Wales. Local authorities use the funding to provide a range of practical support to home educating families. Feedback from local authorities highlights that this has improved relationships between the home educating community and local authorities, and families have valued the support provided.