Do school have a legal duty to do a home visit.

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DS hasn't been to school for about 5 months (pretty much since September) he is under the care of the crisis team from CAMHS because he has attempted suicide on 2 seperate occasions. School are now saying they want to do a Home visit to do a welfare check, I've told them I don't want them coming to the house but they're welcome to speak with myself or his CAMHS worker and I'll come into school for a meeting if needs be, they say they have a legal duty to do a home visit for a welfare check.
I can't find any legislation that supports this claim, does anyone know if there is any.

If he's under the care of CAMHS I don't think they do, no. They should speak to CAMHS.

Maybe they just want to chat informally with your child on their own home ground where they feel comfortable. Why are you so opposed to the idea?

We had exactly the same issue, but in the first lockdown.

My child was under early help due to her disabilities and school attendance difficulties, she had an early help social worker. I told the school I wouldn't be allowing a home visit from them, and if they had a problem to contact her social worker. They did, and the social worker told them in no uncertain terms to back off.

I think if other services are involved and are seeing the child regularly then the school can speak to them and don't need to fo a home visit

I think if a child has trauma from school (not sure if thats relavant in OP case) then a visit from teachers can be upsetting for them. If there's mental health difficulties involving self harm/suicide you can see why the OP might want to avoid that.

What is the aim of the visit?
Do they just want to see him? I know a child who will walk past the outside of school with their parent when school say they need to see them. That satisfies school, and the chold can cope. It might not be a suitable solution for your child tho - and it might not be what school need.

I'd talk to school about what they think is essential, then think if there is a way to make that happen without distressing your child.

You won't find any legislation setting this out specifically. However, schools have a duty of care under the Children Act 2004 and safeguarding duties under the Education Act 2002. They could be in trouble if a pupil is absent long term and they fail to do anything to check up on them.

They have a duty to check on welfare where they have not seen the student. But this could be achieved by you giving permission for them to contact CAMHS if CAMHS have seen them face to face. Or the GP. Or any other professional you may have seen! Remind them that information sharing for safeguarding is a thing.

My dd was off school and under cahms school were legally allowed to come round and see her in person.. When dd was asleep they insisted they shook her awake. Don't you agree this should be allowed? Maybe less deaths by abuse of dc slipping through the net..

Would a Zoom or Teams work instead?

I have a child with EBSA and a home visit by school staff would not be helpful. She has ASD and needs a very definite separation between school and her home which is her safe place. The 2 must not cross over which is why her mental health issues have escalated since the lockdowns and the disruption of normal routines. Many children with mental health difficulties/EBSA feel the same.

I do know of some welfare check visits that just involve the child going to the window or door to be seen.

I guess with some of the awful recent cases like Sara Sharif, the schools are trying to ensure that there isn't a child safety or protection issue that is keeping them away from school.

Thanks for the replies, just to clarify I aren't looking for a solution I have already sorted one out. I just really hate it when Institutions claim they are legally obliged to do something and it's not the case.