The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the findings of a working group on Elective Home Education (EHE) and to plan its future work programme. The committee reviewed a comprehensive report on EHE, which highlighted a significant increase in the number of children being educated at home, both nationally and within Staffordshire. The committee also discussed the implications of new legislation and made several recommendations to address the growing demand and ensure the continued support and safeguarding of EHE children.

Elective Home Education (EHE)

The committee received a detailed report from the Elective Home Education (EHE) Working Group, which had been tasked with investigating the rise in children being educated at home. The report confirmed a significant increase in EHE numbers, with approximately 2,080 children in Staffordshire now being electively home-educated. This trend mirrors national figures and is attributed to various factors, including social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, concerns about bullying, and a desire for more flexible learning styles.

The working group identified that while EHE can be a positive choice for families, there are resource and safeguarding implications for the council. The report highlighted the dedication of parents who choose to home educate, but also noted the challenges they face, particularly regarding examinations and post-16 opportunities.

Key recommendations from the working group included:

• Making the five temporary EHE Officer posts permanent to address the increased demand.
• Regularly monitoring the impact of rising EHE numbers to ensure sufficient capacity.
• Assessing and providing additional resources for the EHE team once the implications of the new Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill are clarified.
• Exploring practical ways to share best practice in EHE support across Staffordshire schools, drawing on examples of effective practice from The De Ferrers Academy.
• Investigating the possibility of developing a location resource log for specific GCSE subjects to support home-educated students.
• Reconvening the working group in 12 months to review the impact of these recommendations and the new legislation.

During the discussion, Neil Dutton, Deputy Head of Inclusion, emphasised the growing numbers of EHE students, noting a significant increase since the report was compiled. He also highlighted the need for increased awareness and training across various agencies regarding EHE. Councillor Victoria Wilson, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, stressed that no children in care are electively home-educated, as the council believes school is the most appropriate setting for them.

The committee also discussed the upcoming Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will introduce a compulsory Children Not in School Register and new responsibilities for local authorities. Concerns were raised about the resource implications and the need for further clarity on how the register will be managed and enforced.

The committee agreed to support the recommendations, and the report with the agreed recommendations will be formally submitted to the Cabinet Member for an executive response. The Cabinet Member will then report back to the committee on her decisions.

Work Programme Planning

The committee reviewed its draft work programme for the upcoming year. Several new items were suggested for inclusion, including:

• Scrutiny of the change from Care Director to Liquid Logic.
• A briefing from representatives of Trinity on the return home interview process.
• Scrutiny of the results from the annual missing home audit.
• An investigation into illegal care homes, their existence in Staffordshire, and any placements of Staffordshire children in such homes outside the county.
• An examination of the impact of social media on children's mental health, potentially through a dedicated working group.

The committee also noted that the Elective Home Education Working Group's final report would be presented. The draft work programme was accepted, with the understanding that it is a dynamic document subject to further changes and additions.

The meeting also marked the final attendance of Helen Phillips, Scrutiny & Support Officer, who was commended for her dedication and support over her 40-year career.