The Law

 

On these pages, you will find a copy of Milton Keynes Local Education Authority (LEA) policy on elective home education. The word ‘elective' is used to distinguish home education by choice, from home tuition that may be provided by the LEA to children in circumstances that prevent their attendance at school.

This policy has been formulated collaboratively between the LEA and home educators in Milton Keynes, and is widely regarded amongst home educators nationally as a model policy. The existence of a written policy means that home educators have a right to expect to be treated in accordance with it, so if you find that you don't get exactly what it says on the tin, you can complain, ultimately to the Local Authority Ombudsman, who's specific remit is to call a local authority to account for any failure to act in accordance with its policy.

Hopefully, this should remain a course of action no one finds it necessary to take, as we currently enjoy good relations with the LEA. A few of us meet with them regularly, not as inspectors of our children, our homes and our educational provision, but in response to the desire of this LEA to enjoy good relations with home educators based on understanding what we are about. If you would like to know more about this, and who we are, please ask. We are simply a small group of local home educators who, out of a much larger local network, chose to undertake to work with MK LEA to establish good practice in relation to home educators. Our starting premise for this work is that of understanding and ensuring that the existing legal framework of our freedoms and responsibilities, and those of the LEA is respected. There can be no other legitimate agenda than that we feel, unless it is to liaise with the LEA to provide any advice and resources it may feel able to provide, but is not obliged in law to provide. That work is also ongoing, and any further input is welcome.

Milton Keynes Home Education Policy is here (available as a MS Word Document, right click and Save as..), and is also published on

The council web site here.

Also in collaboration with local home educators, MK LEA have formulated a FAQ intended to be made available to new and prospective home educators.

For more in depth understanding of the law as it relates to elective home education, please read the ‘Elective Home Education Legal Guidelines' which may be found on the main independent UK home education web site, and home of the web ring: www.home-education.org.uk/legal.htm