Just wondered if anyone had seen this?

[MimsyMum]

This is a pdf of a NICE document about PSHE. The guidance explicitly includes Home educators, and I thought you might want to be aware of it and the possible implications.

Do you know if there are any plans for legislation to do with this? AFAIK NICE cannot actually enforce anything, only offer guidance. As far as I understand it the Human Rights Act protects against any compulsory element to education if it goes against the parents own beliefs/philosophy:

Human Rights Act 1998 (Ch. 42) Schedule 1, Part II, Article 2: ?In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religions and philosophical convictions.?

It's an interesting document, but since they use terms like "develop guidelines" and "provide recommendations for good practice" I think what they are planning to provide is just guidance on how to do PHSE rather than any element of compulsion.

And I suspect that they don't mean Elective Home Education, when they say "education other than at school, including home education and pupil referral units" they may just be thinking about children being educated at home by the local authority.

It's worth keeping an eye on, but I don't think it's too threatening to home educators yet. As far as I can see, it's saying that they want to keep HE children in mind - which may just mean that resources shouldn't only be available to schools.

Hmmm. This actually makes my skin crawl. As my son has learnung difficulties, they seem to assume that they have some control over his education long after he will have left school and should be well on his way to a stable relationship. I know that I have presented my two eldest children (ages 22 and 20 ) with a very good PHSE, as they told us about the PHSE lessons they had in school. Which were in their words 'pathetic'.

Just noising around on the threads (as home schooling is an option which has always interested me) with no intention to post but felt maybe I should. Haven't actually read the article either as I am supposed to be working!

My MIL works for EOTATS (Education other than at School) at a pupil referal unit. It is (certainly in Hampshire so I assume in all ELA's)a unit of teachers, EWO etc that work with children who are expelled, on temporay suspension or rest-bite, off school as long term sick, pregnant etc. So if the document is refering specifically "Education other than at School" it is refering to these departments not home schooled children.

oops lots of typos, obviously should be EOTAS.

EHE is under the umbrella of EOTAS at our Local authority out of the PRU which can cause a bit of confusion for some people.

I heard something that specifically mentioned that, in consultation, certain LAs had requested HE be explcitly included, as it wasn't before. I can't find the link right now, though.

There is nothing in the guidance that qualifies what reason the children may be Home educated in 4.1.1. It's just a simple list. Presumably, there would be nothing preventing a looser interpretation of that than just EOTAS in the circumstances you describe, Playingthewaitinggame.

I agree with the others who have said it's not particularly troubling, but something perhaps to be aware of.