Concerns over child

[Jumpingforgin]

Sorry this is long... I have a friend I've known for a long time. She has a child, who is 5, and she's not sending him to school or educating him.
She had conflicting views over whether to homeschool/enroll in mainstream schooling, chose to enroll him, but he hasn't actually attended a single day since September. She has no intention of sending him at all, and he isn't getting any sort of education right now. I assumed the local authority would be quick to pick up on this, and ensure he was getting an education, but so far, nothing has been done and I feel he is slipping through the net... He has become increasingly withdrawn and angry, and I worry there might be more to this than just his education being neglected. The confusion when he was meant to be going to school in September to then suddenly not going, obviously affected him, and now all his friends are at school, and he isn't, must be unsettling him. I'm concerned of issues at home. The dad is present, but neither of them work, and I have a suspicion there could be mental health problems at play. A couple of comments such as "daddy is having an angry day" and "my daddy is always in bed" just make me think the home life situation is far from ideal. I have nothing against home education, but that is not what this is, it's just a complete avoidance of the education system altogether. I know there was a brief phone conversation with a social worker after he failed to attend school back in September, and she assured them that he was being deregistered and home schooled, and she said that they were happy with this, didn't want to see them, or and home we proof or their set up. She told me she's happy as now she can carry on "non educating" him. And now it seems it's "case closed" and he's slipped through the net. What can/should I do? Should I just assume SS are taking care of it, and leave them to it? Or do I need to report? I feel bad as she's a friend, but I also feel cross that she's almost laughing in the face of the authorities for "getting away" with not educating him, when it should be every child's right. She just doesn't think it's important. Surely legally she can't just get away with saying she's home edding him, but not actually following any sort of curriculum? Is it not regulated? He's a lovely little lad, and I feel so sorry for him as he seems so confused and angry at the world right now. Aibu to report her?

OP- can’t comment on the rest of your post but the home educating is legal and there is no requirement to follow a curriculum at this age. Most home educators delay any formal teaching until age 7 plus - many do no “curriculum” at all.

I have 6 home educated children, none of them did anything other than play at this age - my eldest is now sitting GCSEs.

If you feel the child is being abused by all means call social services.

If your are judging her for not wanting a small child to sit and do phonics - she is not required to do so.

There ARE checks on home educators - we get a visit once a year but no LA will look at a not even compulsory school age child not being forced to sit and do worksheets .

The kid isn't even compulsory school age yet. I think your worries are a little premature. I don't think 'daddy having an angry day' is enough to justify ss involvement

I am surprised that the school have him still registered on their systems. With the pressure on school places, if children stop attending or never start they will get reported as 'missing in education', referred to the council and then off rolled from the school to free up a space. This may be different for non compulsory school age and they may have agreed to keep the place open until January for when he legally is required to be in school.

I just wanted to share my experiences of two home educators that I know of. One is an experienced teacher and the other is a science graduate. They are really dedicated & passionate about it to the point where they've allocated a room in their houses for teaching (bit like a mini classroom). They have also formed networks with other home educators to organise things like social outings. Their children are thriving academically and in confidence. HOWEVER it sounds like very hard work (I don't think I'd be able to do it myself plus I like having time to myself when my DC is at school) but very rewarding.

Id report this and the comments the little boy has made about his Dad.