Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Home ed

Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

Deregistered son for home education- Worried about form husband signed at school after meeting

113 replies

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 10:18

Hi, I’d really appreciate some advice from experienced home educators about my son’s recent deregistration from primary school for elective home education.

I emailed the school instructing them to remove him from the register after the last day of term and asked for written confirmation. Instead, they called shortly afterwards and requested a meeting with the headteacher, which my husband attended.

At the meeting, they discussed support to keep my son in school, gave information about home education, and then asked my husband to sign a form recording what had been discussed.From what he remembers, the form mentioned that the school suspects SEN, possibly ADHD/autism, although my son has no formal diagnosis. It also referred to concerns about “dangers in his environments”, apparently relating to his occasional difficulty recognising danger.The headteacher also asked whether we would accept LA visits. My husband said yes without giving it much thought, and this was written on the form before he signed it. I would personally prefer all communication with the LA to remain in writing.

My main concerns are whether signing this form could affect or complicate the deregistration/home education process, whether agreeing to LA visits makes them mandatory, and whether the wording about suspected SEN or “dangers” could be used to raise safeguarding concerns.

The school also still has not confirmed in writing that my son has been removed from the register. Is their confirmation required, or is our written deregistration instruction enough?We do not currently have a copy of the signed form, which is what is worrying me most.Many thanks for any advice.

OP posts:
TheGardenPond · 18/07/2026 10:31

Ask for a copy of the signed form for a start.

MurielTheTerrible · 18/07/2026 10:37

The school will want to know that you are doing this after full consideration, rather than as a knee jerk reaction, as if they deregister him and you change your mind, they may not have space for him. The LA must be informed, otherwise he's a child Missing in Education. The EHE team will offer a yearly visit. Whether or not this is yet compulsory, I'm not sure, but hopefully it will be.

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 10:46

TheGardenPond · 18/07/2026 10:31

Ask for a copy of the signed form for a start.

I have, just waiting on them to respond back.

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 18/07/2026 10:49

Ask for a copy of all the papers, including what was signed and notes of the meeting. Write to the LEA informing that you are deregistering your child from x date.

slamfightbrightlight · 18/07/2026 10:53

The LA will need to satisfy itself your son is going to be receiving suitable full time education but it cannot enforce a visit, you can engage in writing.

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 10:53

MurielTheTerrible · 18/07/2026 10:37

The school will want to know that you are doing this after full consideration, rather than as a knee jerk reaction, as if they deregister him and you change your mind, they may not have space for him. The LA must be informed, otherwise he's a child Missing in Education. The EHE team will offer a yearly visit. Whether or not this is yet compulsory, I'm not sure, but hopefully it will be.

In my initial deregistration email, we mentioned that it was a decision we had come to after long and careful consideration.

And I thought that all the parent had to do, was intruct the school, notifying the LA was on them, so this signed form has me confused and slightly worried about their intentions.

OP posts:
slamfightbrightlight · 18/07/2026 10:54

The form is probably available on your LA’s website if you search for elective home ed. Schools will have a mechanism for referring in any children removed for EHE so they are aware.

Fiddlesticks1 · 18/07/2026 10:54

How many children have gone under the radar when being home schooled - Sarah Sharif is a classic example so that is one of the reasons for LA visits- safeguarding.

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:02

slamfightbrightlight · 18/07/2026 10:53

The LA will need to satisfy itself your son is going to be receiving suitable full time education but it cannot enforce a visit, you can engage in writing.

So despite signing a form, it would not be legally binding that I accept LA visits?

OP posts:
slamfightbrightlight · 18/07/2026 11:06

Not from the EHE team specifically.

RoseOliviaAu · 18/07/2026 11:33

If you didn’t trust your husband to understand what he is signing don’t let him attend meetings.

Kaidaia · 18/07/2026 11:38

Can I ask why you wouldn’t accept visits. Surely they would only be doing this to protect the child and make sure he is receiving an education

slamfightbrightlight · 18/07/2026 11:39

RoseOliviaAu · 18/07/2026 11:33

If you didn’t trust your husband to understand what he is signing don’t let him attend meetings.

He’s the parent as well, he’s entitled to a view - maybe he is perfectly happy with visits.

Zapx · 18/07/2026 11:42

I wouldn’t worry. They can’t legally enforce visits, if they try and arrange one just say exactly what you did here, that you want to keep all communication in writing and you’ll send them a report. Even if he signed it that doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind.

somanychristmaslights · 18/07/2026 11:43

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:02

So despite signing a form, it would not be legally binding that I accept LA visits?

Why are you against LA visits?

kaylot · 18/07/2026 11:45

People need to educate themselves on why home visits from the LA are generally not a good idea.

sittingonabeach · 18/07/2026 11:46

Why aren’t they a good idea?

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:47

Kaidaia · 18/07/2026 11:38

Can I ask why you wouldn’t accept visits. Surely they would only be doing this to protect the child and make sure he is receiving an education

I've read from many experienced home educators that it would be better to stick to writing with regards to communicating with your LA, to prevent misunderstandings and to leave a paper trail.

If the choice exists, why wouldn't I be allowed to make it? Not everyone is comfortable with having a stranger enter their home. It feels intrusive.

OP posts:
freecalpol · 18/07/2026 11:48

Honestly @JustUmberWriter don’t worry about the home visits etc, they just want a quick chat and brief overview of your educational setup and plans. We’ve always felt really supported by our EHE team . We’ve always submitted work samples too as part of our yearly report I know most refuse this too but we’ve had nothing but positive interaction with our EHE team.

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:50

somanychristmaslights · 18/07/2026 11:43

Why are you against LA visits?

Why would I opt for one, when I would be perfectly willing to communictate and provide all the information they need via email?

OP posts:
backformoreofthesame · 18/07/2026 11:52

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:50

Why would I opt for one, when I would be perfectly willing to communictate and provide all the information they need via email?

Because you can’t provide all the information they need via email

you can tell a lot more about how someone is treating their child if you can see the parents, the child and the home environment

the minute you try to block a visitor alarm bells will go off everywhere

this is really a strong case of “if you have nothing to hide, show it”

LittleBearPad · 18/07/2026 11:52

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:47

I've read from many experienced home educators that it would be better to stick to writing with regards to communicating with your LA, to prevent misunderstandings and to leave a paper trail.

If the choice exists, why wouldn't I be allowed to make it? Not everyone is comfortable with having a stranger enter their home. It feels intrusive.

You can always follow up any visits to record what was discussed in writing.

Refusing home visits would ring alarm bells to me.

Brightlittlecanary · 18/07/2026 11:54

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:50

Why would I opt for one, when I would be perfectly willing to communictate and provide all the information they need via email?

Because they can be a lot of support and they are ensuring your child is being properly educated. Not wishing them indicates you’ve something to hide . But if you’re both doing this correctly as you indicate with a full education plan in place each year you adhere to, then why not accept; saying because some folks in line didn’t like it is really concerning. This is your son.

CelticSilver · 18/07/2026 11:55

Join Education Otherwise, and your local Home Ed Facebook group. There's a big variety between LAs. Welcome to the HE club - it's fantastic!

JustUmberWriter · 18/07/2026 11:56

backformoreofthesame · 18/07/2026 11:52

Because you can’t provide all the information they need via email

you can tell a lot more about how someone is treating their child if you can see the parents, the child and the home environment

the minute you try to block a visitor alarm bells will go off everywhere

this is really a strong case of “if you have nothing to hide, show it”

So if one would prefer to deal with the LA via written communication, it means they have something to hide?

OP posts: