Home schooling in Surrey- L.A good or bad?

[LJC777]

Hi,
We are considering H Ed and a move to Farnham shortly and would like to know if anyone has had any experienced with the L.A.
We decided against numerous other countries esp Kent due to their policy on H Ed and extreme and often illegal measures they go to, to try and get children back into school.
My daughter also has a EHCP for anxiety, but hasn’t ever attended a SEN school or needs to.

I would be grateful for any advice!

There is a huge busy Facebook group you could join to ask, called "Home Education Surrey". You'll probably want to be on it to find out about local opportunities anyway.

I've had a quick search of the FB group "Home Education and your Local Authority: Help with dealing with officialdom", a brilliant resource for anyone who is having trouble with an LA which doesn't follow the guidelines. Someone on there mentioned recently that local HE families are working with Surrey to improve their understanding of home education. I don't know whether that means that Surrey LA are dire or just "require improvement". (Most LAs do require improvement; very few are fully compliant with their responsibilities.)

A few people posted to that group in late 2017 to say that Surrey LA were very quick to unilaterally schedule meetings at short notice at the family's home in a letter which gave no return address, That's a bad sign, but sadly not all that unusual among LAs.

You say you have ruled out numerous other counties. I think you may be worrying too much. It's true that a few LAs are absolutely awful and you'd be wise to avoid those few if possible. A great many are out of line in their demands, but will back down if you indicate that you know the law and are unwilling to be pushed around. As long as you assure yourself that the LA where you are moving aren't a complete nightmare, forewarned is forearmed and you should be able to fend your LA off with help from experienced HE parents who will be glad to help you write letters quoting the law.

Maybe you'd like to join the "Officialdom" Facebook group I mentioned? It sounds like the prospect of LA interference worries you, so you might like to be prepared. You could post there a list of the counties you are considering moving to, and the admins will let you know which of those are known to behave particularly badly in recent times.

Thank you for your advice and references on where to get assistance and further insight into the world of H Ed and other counties. It does seem that the majority will interfere and try to impose, but when you send them a ‘good legal’ reply they will start to back off. I have joined both groups and am still waiting to be approved for the Surrey one...so far four days, so I will chase.
My main issue is the current school are not suggesting ways to help my daughter and will not reply to my constant request to meet with them!!.
Even my g.p suggested H Ed due to their unhelpfulness. We are now waiting for a CAMHS appointment due to her starting to self harm and her severe anxiety surrounding school. Thank you again

I agree with Saracen that it sounds like you are overly worrying.
If it is something that concerns you though you might want to consider looking over the border from Farnham into Hampshire. The way it currently stands Hampshire is the best LEA that I know of. Doesn't undertake annual monitoring, offers (a small) contribution to GCSE costs, feedback is people who do meet find them supportive. This could change at anytime of course so not sure if I would use it as the only or main reason to move here. There are huge, thriving home education communities here though. Although I get the impression Farnham/Guildford are reasonably busy activity wise too.