Legal Matters

EO has produced and distributed information on home education to LEAs, Social Service Departments and Police Authorities. However, staff turnover in these environments can be high and the information not passed on to new personnel. This page contains information that has been sent out in the past, and home educators are welcome to download and use it.

• Summary of the Law in England and Wales (3rd Edition)

  Several copies of this booklet were sent to all LEAs in England and Wales in 1999 with funding from the National Lottery Charities Board. You can print your copy in pdf format here.

• Summary of the Law in Scotland

• Social Services and Home Educators

  Local Authorities are merging their Education Departments and Social Services departments under a new department called Children’s Services. Exactly how this will work out in different authorities remains to be seen, but we thought it would be useful for home educators to have a few pointers about their rights should they be contacted by Social Services.

• Deregistration Information

  When a child is taken out of school in England and Wales, he or she should be deregistered and the school must delete the child's name from the admission register. This page gives the legal basis of deregistration with references and sets out the relevant legal texts. It is intended for LEAs and schools in England and Wales.

• Truancy Pack

  Each of the five items may be viewed and printed individually so that people may use what is appropriate for their needs.

  Contents Sheet
  Information Letter for EO LCs and others distributing Truancy Pack
  Letter sent to LAs and Police Authorities
  s16 of Crime and Disorder Act 1998
  Home Office Guidance on Crime and Disorder Act 1998

• School Attendance Orders

  Information about School Attendance Orders, when they may be issued, what to do if you are issued with an SAO.

• Information on Victoria Climbie

  A number of Local Education Authorities and Education Welfare Officers have been quoting Victoria Climbie to home educators and claiming that it is because of what happened to Victoria that they are now checking homes. To help home educators inform themselves, some information is provided here.