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Original poster

To think that having to have a DBS check to home educate is unfair.

562 replies

Grimed · 25/05/2022 14:56

Baroness Garden is intending all homeschool parents to be DBS checked. I don't think this is fair. What makes Homeschool parents more likely to be abusive? Surely regular checks from the local LA should be enough? If the education system is failing so many children perhaps that is what's needs examining not parents. What's next? All pregnant women get DBS checked?

OP posts:
SW1amp · 25/05/2022 15:10

Grimed · 25/05/2022 14:59

If they have concerns or the children have additional needs or a ehcp they do. My children are not regularly checked because there are no concerns.

How can they know if there are concerns if there aren’t ever checks?

Sirzy · 25/05/2022 15:10

Also who is going to decide what classes as unsuitable to home Ed on the DBS? And surely if someone that means they can’t teach their child flags up then you have to question whether the child should be living with that parent at all.

hiredandsqueak · 25/05/2022 15:09

I'm not sure that I see the value of a DBS check tbh although I do think that there should be some monitoring in place to ensure that children are getting an education suitable to their needs and abilities

Original poster
Grimed · 25/05/2022 15:08

I'm not worried at all in the same way that if the police took my computer and searched it I would not be worried but that doesn't mean I would want them to do it without a good reason.

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 25/05/2022 15:08

There have been enough cases of home education being a cover for abuse that I think this is worth the intrusion it represents for innocent parents. Home educated children can become invisible and the usual social safeguards that spot abuse can be avoided more easily if children do not go to school. I'm not in the least opposed to home ed, we considered it for one of ours and I know lots of excellent home ed families - but this is one of those situations where a bit of extra scrutiny really might protect vulnerable children, so I think it is justified.

That said, DBS checks only identify people who have previously been caught. Supervision and scrutiny of home ed parents shouldn't stop there. Especially in communities where home ed is for religious reasons - in the US particularly, this has led to some horrendous hidden abuse cases, and it has also happened in the UK.

Sirzy · 25/05/2022 15:07

All a dbs does is show someone hasn’t been caught anyway.

there should be some sort of semi regular check ins for safeguarding purposes for families who don’t access other services but a dbs system seems pointless.

Overthewine · 25/05/2022 15:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

DogsAndGin · 25/05/2022 15:06

Wait. So a parent homeschooling only their own child, in their own home, would need to be DBS checked? By that logic, all parents should be DBS checked if they intend to care for their own children.

ofwarren · 25/05/2022 15:03

I'm not a home Educator but I agree with you. This is far too much.

Scorched · 25/05/2022 15:03

It’s a brilliant idea. All children have a right to safe guarding, why should be worried about what they may find

Original poster
Grimed · 25/05/2022 14:59

If they have concerns or the children have additional needs or a ehcp they do. My children are not regularly checked because there are no concerns.

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 25/05/2022 14:57

Are regular checks by the L.A. a thing?