Under section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents have the right to educate children, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), at home. Home education must be suitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude and SEN.

By law children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can be home educated like any other child. Where parents have chosen to home educate a child with an EHCP and the Elective Home Education Support officer is satisfied that the arrangements made by the parents are suitable, they will amend the EHCP to name Elective Home Education in section I. 

If your child is at a special school, SENSTART will need to give permission for your child to be home educated. They will share your child’s plan with you, and you will need to ensure you can meet the outcomes of it. You will need to contact your child’s school directly to explain that you would like to home educate your child.

The Local Authority have a duty to review the EHCP annually to ensure that the provision set out in it continues to be appropriate, and that your child’s special educational needs continue to be met.