Pupil Access and Community Services

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DL

Minicom: (01603) 223833

Mr M Downes

8^th April 2002 01603 222900

mike.downes.edu@norfolk.gov.uk

To: Headteacher of LEA Schools

Dear Colleague

The LEA has the responsibility to support and monitor the education of children who are being "Educated Otherwise" (EO), that is, being educated at home by their parents. In order to carry out this role, the LEA has set up a small team, managed by Wendy Thrower, called ‘Services to Home Educators’ (SHE).

During the past year, the service has been checking data, setting up monitoring systems, contacting support groups and parents and visiting families across the county. New paperwork to track and monitor these children has now been produced and is attached for your information.

1. The Information Form

1. to let SHE know of any family which expresses a desire to Educate Otherwise or which takes a child out of school with this intention; or
2. to update the data with any names of pupils who may have not been registered as EO, but whose parents may have withdrawn them with this in mind.

1. The Booklet

This is attached for your information and gives details of the legal framework, procedures and advice available. It will normally be sent to parents expressing a desire to go EO, following receipt of the Information Form or a direct contact with parents. Any such direct contact will be followed up by SHE with a request for information from the school.

The maintenance of full information on children being Educated Otherwise, is very important as it enables the LEA to carry out its duty to advise, monitor and inspect provision for these pupils. In addition, it may sometimes result in resolving issues, disputes etc which means that the pupil stays in the school system. The service also provides help and support for pupils who wish to return to the school system following a period of Education Otherwise.

Early involvement of the service in cases where parents are considering Education Otherwise has proved to be useful to all parties and may often help resolve problems. Parents should be encouraged to telephone the service for advice and discussion of the issues surrounding Education Otherwise.

If you have any questions or need to discuss a case, please contact Wendy Thrower at Boardman House, Redwell Street, Norwich, NR2 4SL (tel: 01603 764707/fax: 01603 767904). Email: wendy.thrower.edu@norfolk.gov.uk.

Yours sincerely