Revised statutory guidance on home education was issued to local authorities by the Scottish Executive in January 2008 following extensive consultation with the home education community and other interested bodies. This has undoubtedly helped clarify many previously ‘grey’ areas and will hopefully result in the thawing of sometimes strained past relationships between home educators and local authorities.

Most Scottish local authorities now accept the premise that home education need not be anything like school provision, but some education officers may still sometimes infer that families should conform to a structured model or seek to impose other criteria that are not legally required or do not conform to the guidance. Some elected members also remain highly resistant to the very concept of home education and have been known to ignore professional advisers’ reports and recommendations in an effort to block or delay home education requests.

In cases where such prejudice and hostility are evident, families are strongly advised to report details of their experience to Schoolhouse and the Scottish Government Education Department; they may also consider complaining directly to the Chief Executive of their local authority and enlisting the support of their constituency and/or regional list MSPs, a number of whom have helped resolve such difficulties in the past.

Communication with the Local Authority