H.E Review article in The Independent.

[Kayteee]

Mornin all,

Not sure how to post the link (it appears to be too long and I'm not very geeky)

Just go to The Independent and look in the Education Section.

Unless someone techy knows how to put the link up in a more condensed way

Independant Link here

"Independent"

sigh

here we go again.

Eunice Spry's Children were known to the LA when they were in school. They were visited by Social Services.
The children themselves complained to hospital workers, teachers and social workers. No one did anything for them.
Concerns were raised yet the LA allowed Eunice Spry to become a Foster carer and then adopt those children.
Eunice Spry's children were known to the LA and were visited.
The Judge pronouncing on the case blamed failings on the part of the Local Authority and NOT on home education.

Then we have a spokesperson for the NSPCC saying
"Some people use home education to hide. Look at the Victoria Climbié case. No one asked where she was at school"

Victoria was in fact registered with the local education authority and was
not in school simply because the LEA were unable to provide her with a place.
She was not being home educated and was not in any way shape of form connected with home education. She was not even missing from the LEAs records.

The LEA were perfectly aware of why she was not in school and equally aware of her educational status. Indeed it was their fault being unable to find her a place. Any failings to provide a suitable education were entirely down to the failings of the LEA!

I have written a complaint to the NSPCC.

thank you julie.

it's good to have factual information at the ready!

Done my bit. Emailed to the NSPCC (and the typos just indicate my anger. They are entirely on purpose. Ahem)

[email protected]

I was horrified to read in today's Independent a quote from Vijay Patel linking the horrific Victoria Climbie with home education. As I am sure you know, Victoria Climbie was not home educated, and "home education" playeed no part in the failure of government agencies and indeed your own organisation in failing to safeguard her.

I look forward to reading a full retraction from Mr Patel, together with an apology for the unfounded slur he has attempted to cast on a minority group within society.

I am sure Mr Patel is sick of being reminded that, when pressed, he had to admit on national radio regardimg his claims that HE could be used to hide abuse "We.. the inf.. We don?t have the evidence there statistically, no." Please, the NSPCC MUST stop circulating vicious and unfounded allegations about links between the home educating community and child abuse, and you must stop employing people who persist in such malicious beaviour. After learning of Mr Patel's full retraction and apology, I look forward to reading of his resignation.

Yours faithfully,

A couple of hundred letters along those lines, and the man will have to step down.

here's mine:
I read in today's Independent an appalling attack on home educators by Vijay Patel on behalf of your organisation. He is still persisting in linking the tragic death of Victoria Climbie with home education, despite the fact that she was not home educated, was under the "supervision" of at least seven different Government agencies (including your own), which was flagged in the official report following her death to have been negligent in any case.

I expect a full apology from Mr Patel for his slanderous attack on both me and my fellow home educators, and suggest that your media/PR deprtment arrange some urgent training for Mr Patel (taking advice from your legal team) before he makes any further slanderous or libellous quotes to national media.

I am disgusted that as a national charity you feel it appropriate to attack a lawabiding sector of society with no evidence to back up your accusations (as Mr Patel admitted on national radio) and await your apology on behalf of Mr Patel.

Not holding my breath for a response, mind you.....

Anyone else wishing to write and complain to the NSPCC might like to include the quote from the Victoria Climbie Foundation:

"The Victoria Climbie Foundation UK is genuinely concerned about the link being made between Victoria Climbie and home education and Victoria as a hidden child. Victoria was neither home-educated nor hidden.
The reality is that there is no such thing as a 'hidden' child only children who are allowed to fall through the gaps. The key issue here is how statutory services interact with children that are known within the child protection system"

I have been reading a bit more and am now sitting here with my mouth open!

Baring in mind Mr Patel of the NSPCC said
"Some people use home education to hide. Look at the Victoria Climbié case. No one asked where she was at school"

Just have a look at this report NSPCC 'delayed action' over Climbie!!