Dec 21, 2024, BBC News: 'Shocking' rise in home-schooled pupils with SEND
Central England
Worcestershire has seen a "shocking" rise in the number of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) being home-schooled, often "by default", and running the risk of falling "out of sight" of the education system.
From fewer than 50 in 2016, the number has risen to almost 300.
A further 88 children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) were being home-schooled as of September 2024, according to Worcestershire County Council.
One campaigner said parents felt they had no choice but to pursue home schooling, because "the system is letting them down" over school places.
The figures were requested by county councillor Lynn Denham, during a full council meeting in November.
She received a written response on the number of "elected home education (EHE) children with SEND" from education chief David Chambers, which has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Chambers said any children being removed from the roll of a school were a focus for the authority, to ensure "the decision had been made appropriately and in an informed way".
He said the council's elected home education team continued to ensure any students with additional needs were prioritised, and there was "joint working" when a parent or carer decided to educate their child at home.
'Falling through the gaps'
Lynn Denham, a county councillor and leader of Worcester City Council, said the statistics showed "a shocking increase" in home-school numbers among children with SEND, who previously had SEND support in a school setting.
She said: "These children have not succeeded in getting an EHCP, mainstream schools are not meeting their needs, and they are being home-schooled by default.
"This is a huge strain on families and indicates that the county council is failing to meet its duties to provide education for all children in the county." . . .
She said: "Home schooling is the last act of desperation when parents are unable to obtain a suitable school place for their child from the county council."
'System is letting them down'
Tracy Winchester, from the SEND National Crisis Worcestershire campaign group, said the statistics spoke for themselves, highlighting there were not enough SEND places in schools across the county.
She said: "People often feel they have no real choice.
"Their child's needs are not being met – the system is letting them down.". . .
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