UK: Home education 'may be cover for abuse'

[Pat McCotter]

Children's Minister: Home education 'may be cover for abuse'
Parents educating their children at home could face tighter controls under new plans.

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor
Last Updated: 5:50PM GMT 20 Jan 2009

Ministers have launched a review of standards for up to 55,000 young people taught by mothers and fathers outside school.

It will investigate current procedures for monitoring home education – as well addressing concerns over the safety and welfare of children.

Baroness Morgan, the Children's Minister, said home teaching could be a "cover for abuse" in extreme cases.

But parents' groups were infuriated by the comments.

Ann Newstead, spokesman for the charity Education Otherwise, said claims that children were safer in the hands of the state than parents was "offensive" and "not born out by an increasing number of families in the UK".

Annette Taberner, member of EO's policy group said "No other community would be expected to suffer the prejudice and discrimination which our community has to endure. Our community will be infuriated by these latest statements."

The review – being led by Graham Badman, former director of children's services at Kent Council was launched following a public consultation on the issue of children missing education.

Some local authorities and children's organisations raised concerns about their ability to properly monitor children's welfare under existing guidance.

Under current rules, parents do not have to formally register their child as "home educated".

No official statistics exist on how many children are taught at home, but it is thought the number could be as high as 55,000.

The Education and Inspections Act 2006 placed a duty on all local councils to make arrangements to identify children not receiving a proper education, but they have no power to inspect the quality of lessons for youngsters taught at home.

Baroness Morgan said: "I'm sure the vast majority do a good job. However, there are concerns that some children are not receiving the education they need.

"And in some extreme cases, home education could be used as a cover for abuse. We cannot allow this to happen and are committed to doing all we can to help ensure children are safe, wherever they are educated."

Mr Badman said: "Legislation affords every parent the right to choose to educate their child at home but with those rights go responsibilities, not least being to secure a suitable education.

"By the same token, local authorities are charged with ensuring that all children are safe, well and receiving an education that is both enjoyable and allows for the expression of all aptitudes and abilities.

[dalebert]

Interesting way to turn things around. I was thinking public education was a cover for abuse.

[AntonLee]

I was thinking that public education WAS abuse

[error]

I was thinking that public education WAS abuse

It is. But since the government is abusing your children, it's perfectly OK.

[PlaneKrazy999]

Its a diversion, a flanking move on home schooling. "Abuse" (unsubstantiated!) is a diversion from the fact that home schooled children receive a far better education than publicly educated ones. School administrator don't want to have that discussion; they need a diversion. How elitist of them to suggest that home schooled children *may* be abused when public schools are failing to protect their charges (from bulling and violence) AND failing to educate.

[Fluff and Stuff]

Only 55,000 homeschooled children in the UK?  I thought it was over a million in the US.  Maybe that help explains why we tend to have so much more freedom.