The 'register'

[bandthenjust]

How do you feel about the proposed register being brought in for home ed families?

I find it extraordinary that this tool is being proposed without first laying out the problem which it is intended to solve.

To my mind, the correct procedure would be to state, "Here is the problem. Here is the evidence that that problem exists. These are the alternative ways we could address that problem, together with associated costs and benefits of each. This is why we recommend the use of this particular tool, namely a compulsory register of home educated children. Here is how it would be implemented."

We've had none of that. Instead it has been just, "Hey, let's have a register!" This makes it very difficult to have any sort of meaningful debate. If I knew why we were supposed to need a register, I might be able to argue for or against it.

In the absence of any rationale for a register, my default response would have to be negative, on the basis of cost if for no other reason.

I know people who are asking for help with their childs' behaviour and education, and not receiving it, both HE and in school. When they have the funds to help these people, maybe we can talk about whether a register is a good plan or not. Instead they will waste money chasing people who are doing fine, wasting those parents time with paperwork when it could be spent educating their children.

In my view the register is both a power grab and money cow to be milked on the part of departments of the local authorities. They hope to funnel more of the cash that is available to their teams, selfishly and with no thought to how it could be better spent.

That's before we even get started on the detrimental effect on the mental health of the children of the proposed forced home visits. As a child they would have made me feel physically sick, regardless of whether my parents sugar coated them and told me how great everything would be.

I like the idea of a register for one reason, I would like to see some statistical data come out of it that can be used for research into home education and outcomes. At the moment the research is sparse on the ground and prone to the accusation of self selection.

I would be opposed to it being used for draconian purposes though.