UC and home education

[festiveissues]

Just wondering as HE.....
When youngest is 4 and a parent is expected to look for work - what about parents who are home educating ?
Obviously then only 1 parent can work as the other is with the dc
Have they made provisions for parents who home educate ?

Don't think so. A friend of mine (single parent) who was HEing had to send her chipdren to school when she got switched to UC so she can be more available to work.

How can you be at home with a child,you are HE and also be available for work? Surely you’re in the same position as a SAHP?

There is no provision for HE and neither should there be!

You may not be available for work during traditional school hours if you choose to follow those hours whilst HE but you could work around that. After all, traditional school hours are only 6 hours a day and that it with at least an hour of play times which you can skip as a HE. Alternatively, you can HE at other times meaning that you could work during the traditional
school day.
Surely a lot of HE'ers argue that they, even if they stick to the national curriculum, it takes a lot less time as it is 1:1. You could start at 8am, be done by noon and go and start work. Yes, someone would have to look after your child if they were of primary age whilst you were at work but that is no different to other working parents needing childcare. Alternatively, if your child is capable of self directed learning and you have a job where you work from home, the child and the parent can work alongside each other.

No there isn't provision. Home education is considered elective in the most part, the exception being where the LA has agreed upon this as alternative provision. There may be a case in this situation, otherwise HE is a lifestyle choice and it must be remembered that being a SAHP is a privilege, not a right beyond school age.

Just to add that I was HE years ago and there were quite a few mums who were working whilst HE.

I home educate 3 children. I also work 20-30 hours a week. We don't receive any tax credits because between us we earn plenty. I wouldn't expect to receive any help because we home educate and I don't think it should be a reason to not look for work.

But for many people, Home Ed is not a free choice. It is the last resort for children who are not receiving a suitable education in school because of special needs or bullying. I do feel that for those families, there should be more support, and in some cases that should be financial.

I was worried it might be a problem. Like others it’s been a choice out of necessity rather than from the outset if that makes sense. Unsure what position it will leave us in
Other issues to as to why UC will cause problems when youngest ‘school’ age so all in all it’s looking a bit worrying