New to homeschooling (UK) - first council visit..

[Booshbishpa]

Hi I have recently took my 2 children out of UK school . My son is 9 and daughter 5. Son has always struggled with school. Shy / confidence. He has lots of friends but just struggled to adapt to school. Have asked for help support for 5 years from school all I got was “fine when he’s here” that’s it every time. I realised in 6 weeks holiday what a different child he was, happy.. no stress. Confident. Day before school stressed, panicking.. said he would “rather die than go back to school” I couldn’t take anymore and de registered them both from school. We are in the process of emigrating to Australia so my thought process is.. take them out for a year . Build confidence around school / learning ect. Then hopefully when we are there in the next 12 months they would have only missed 6 months of there academic year as Australia the new term starts in January 6 months later allowed to sept. Lovely lady from council home Ed has rang me and asked can she come and meet me tomorrow. Now is there anything I need to do / prepare ect.. right things to say?? I’m feeling a bit anxious as I’m not a teacher, just a mum trying to do the best for my kids!!! P.s my husband is fully supportive too. So we are working as a team. He does lots of worksheets when he gets home from work as he has the brains lol. I’m more outdoors. Library, swimming, shops & money ect. Thank you xxxx

I would say that if you are the main adult at home you will need to show her that you can comfortably support learning up to the end of Primary level. I'm not sure she would want to see you relying on what your husband can teach in the evening.

Also, I know home ed isn't about following the National Curriculum and obviously the learning is much more hands-on but I would show her that you have a plan (including a more formal one for literacy and numeracy).

OP have you done much research into home educating? Like reading up on your responsibilities and rights?
You don’t need to have a visit from anyone and the majority of home educators don’t for a whole host of reasons. If you do choose to go ahead then know that you don’t have to show anything, definitely not future plans because plans change especially as you are brand new to home ed and don’t know if it will look for your family long term.

I would cancel the appointment tomorrow and advise that you prefer to communicate in writing. Offer a written educational report instead. Join the Facebook groups like Home Education for All for tonnes of information and make sure you do some research.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/education/4987871-convince-me-to-not-homeschool

Despite the title this thread has opinions from both sides

@Booshbishpa
please please have a look at the HEFA (Home Education For All) Facebook page and learn your rights quickly.
Advice is always never allow the LA ‘officer’ into your home under any circumstances. It’s your and your family’s safe space and whilst we don’t have anything to hide home visits are generally seen as massively overstepping and is not something they have any right to do. I have been unschooling my children for several years and I can assure you that it is totally unnecessary.
Remember you are only at the very start of your HE journey and you are just finding your feet. No-one would or should expect you to have it all figured out yet. It takes time to curate their learning.
Please PM me if you need any help or advice as MN is not at all the place to get good advise on HE.

Safe space? LA officers can give guidance and support. Sadly home isn’t a safe space for many children at all. It’s where they are abused. I think all good home Ed parents welcome LA support. Why would you not accept help?