New measures to be introduced to tackle concerns around home schooling

Measures are being taken to ensure that large numbers of children being homeschooled in Blackpool get the support they need.

Last year concerns were raised after figures showed that some 600 children were not in school, a relatively recent and sizable increase across the town.

Cllr Anita Cooper, who raised the matter during Blackpool’s Full Council Meeting back in June, asked if they were supported and how their educational progress was being assessed.

A report has now been prepared for the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee, to be held onThursday this week.

It states: “A partnership audit has been undertaken by Blackpool’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Arrangement (MASA), this has informed a revised Educated at Home Partnership Policy, Pathway and a Partnership EHE Action Plan.

“This will be overseen by the Blackpool Education Partnership Board and safeguarding elements of the Action Plan and Policy will be overseen by MASA.

“The new EHE Policy and Pathway will be provided to the Council Executive to seek approval in 2025-26 before this is launched during the 2026-27 year.”

Cllr Cooper said at last year’s meeting: “I was on a recent scrutiny (committee) when we were told that the average reading age for a person in Blackpool was eleven. I was pretty shocked by that.

“And with there being over 600 young people being homeschooled, teaching is a very, very difficult process. Of those 600 across the Key Stages, I understand that only officers – or are they called teachers – see those children.

“Are children seen more often and is that service under the umbrella of Ofsted and what is the attainment of children who are home-schooled?”

She was told by Cllr Benson, Coun Benson, the Portfolio Holder for Young People and Aspirations. told her: “You are right, if a parent does decide to home educate their children, they have to pay for their own children’s exams, that is the law.

“We’ve seen a massive increase. We do have a Home Schooling team that who go round.

“There is little they can do but they do check whether that education is suitable, the environment is suitable.

“We already do have a database, which is more than most other authorities, so every child is tracked. Consent will be required if you want to take your child out of school if that child is subject to Children’s Sec 47 or a Child Action Plan. So we do have some extra safeguards.

“We do keep a track, the School Admissions Team do visit, monthly, weekly as needed, we have seen a massive increase.

“We are seeing some new reforms, relating to home education which will give us greater powers, as an authority.”