How does everyone feel about home spot checks and a home Ed register?
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Home ed
Labour suggesting new hs register and home spot checks for hs dc
Sunshinesausages · 09/01/2024 18:17
PurpleBugz · 09/01/2024 19:06
I'm on the fence. For safeguarding I'm for it. I also see a lot of home Ed kids in groups we go to that I feel parents are failing them BUT I know of more SEND kids who are home Ed because schools were failing them or no suitable school place etc.
Also what will a spot check show? Some days my autistic home Ed kiddo will be in pjs and playing with toys till past lunchtime, the house may be a mess if I'm busy with toddler or planning activities. Other days he's got me up and we are reading at 5am or he asks to do learning to get out of bedtime and I roll with it because engagement in learning is a challenge for him. Spot check me in school hours I may not be teaching, we may be out at a group etc. But we don't have weekends off and work early or late whenever I can get the learning in. So for kids like my boy I'm worried about further monitoring.
Kids like my girl. Who is a lovely geeky child loves learning, very capable and a dream to teach would be no problem at all. But most kids who are home Ed local to me are not like my daughter the have significant SEND and home Ed out of need not choice
Sprogonthetyne · 09/01/2024 19:53
I read it as spot check to make sure they don't have injuries and are being fed, have clean bedding etc. Not spot check to see if your doing maths by 9.30am.
PurpleBugz · 09/01/2024 19:06
I'm on the fence. For safeguarding I'm for it. I also see a lot of home Ed kids in groups we go to that I feel parents are failing them BUT I know of more SEND kids who are home Ed because schools were failing them or no suitable school place etc.
Also what will a spot check show? Some days my autistic home Ed kiddo will be in pjs and playing with toys till past lunchtime, the house may be a mess if I'm busy with toddler or planning activities. Other days he's got me up and we are reading at 5am or he asks to do learning to get out of bedtime and I roll with it because engagement in learning is a challenge for him. Spot check me in school hours I may not be teaching, we may be out at a group etc. But we don't have weekends off and work early or late whenever I can get the learning in. So for kids like my boy I'm worried about further monitoring.
Kids like my girl. Who is a lovely geeky child loves learning, very capable and a dream to teach would be no problem at all. But most kids who are home Ed local to me are not like my daughter the have significant SEND and home Ed out of need not choice
Ispywithmycynicaleye · 13/01/2024 11:33
I'd be more interested in what happens if spot checks report that your child isn't meeting expected targets at home. What happens then?
Ispywithmycynicaleye · 13/01/2024 11:33
I'd be more interested in what happens if spot checks report that your child isn't meeting expected targets at home. What happens then?
CalpolOnToast · 13/01/2024 15:59
What happens in school?
Ispywithmycynicaleye · 13/01/2024 11:33
I'd be more interested in what happens if spot checks report that your child isn't meeting expected targets at home. What happens then?
User13579367337 · 13/01/2024 16:39
It’s a good idea. I can’t get this thread out of my head. The op has completely failed her children education wise. She’s written a few threads about them, one has been begging to go to school for months, the other still isn’t potty trained at 8. They’re so far behind that she’s too embarrassed to start taking them to school and they’re just falling more and more behind. I’m praying she’s got them into school this year https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/home_ed/4961756-i-hate-home-ed
Runstothewater · 09/01/2024 20:45
I'm pro formal education for no reason other than it's what my family chose, but we are home edding for a while due to terrible local offer. I've seen excellent provision in that time from home ed families and none of the stereotypes. One glaring issue stands out however, in that the LA is not in position to meaningfully support anyone.
This is primarily due to low LA staffing numbers, and I say this in relation to the families they actually know about. It's fairly common to find families flying under the LA radar so if we're talking about welfare, perhaps any strategy should begin with measures designed to bring this sector of home edders out of the shadows. And not with a stick of any kind.
As for those already registered with the LA, there are appropriate ways of checking on child welfare but door-stepping is not one of them. How is it not alarming for someone to knock on your door and announce they want to come inside to inspect your children? HE families have done nothing wrong and are entitled to privacy. Many parents already see the LA as the enemy and this will only push them further away. What happens if parents are not home or it's not convenient? This really hasn't been properly considered. There are better ways.
Labour could avoid making a problem worse if only they'd get out in front of this. If meaningful support at LA level was available, not just a hurried 60 mins chat every 12 months, but real support, yes, with funding, they may find that the concern largely resolves itself.
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