UK Home Education (Elective Home Education) Guide
12th September 2025
What is elective home education?
Elective home education (EHE) is when parents decide to take responsibility for teaching their children themselves, rather than sending them to school full-time. This is not the same as education organised by the local authority, such as support for children who are too unwell to attend school.
Parents may choose to use tutors, online classes, or other adults to help with their child’s learning, but this is optional. Learning can take place in places other than the home, though many of these settings are not formally regulated or inspected, so checks such as staff vetting and safeguarding may not be in place.
Children educated at home are usually not enrolled at a school, but parents can sometimes arrange for them to attend school or college part-time (known as flexi-schooling).
Legal Overview and Regulations
England & Wales
- Legal Basis: The Education Act 1996, Section 7 mandates that parents must provide efficient, full-time, suitable education for children aged 5–16, either through school attendance or otherwise—i.e., home education is valid and legal.
- Curriculum: No requirement to follow the National Curriculum, adhere to standard school hours, or deliver formal lessons. Parentst are responsible for ensuring their child receives a ‘suitable education.’
- Notification:
- If the child is not currently registered at school, you don’t need permission or formal notification to start home educating.
- If the child is still on a school’s roll, you must submit a deregistration letter. The school will remove them from the register and alert the local authority
There are no legal requirements to:
acquire specific qualifications for the task
- have premises equipped to any particular standard
- aim for the child to acquire any specific qualifications
- teach the National Curriculum
- provide a ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum
- make detailed lesson plans in advance
- give formal lessons
- mark work done by the child
- formally assess progress, or set development objectives
- reproduce school type peer group socialisation
- match school-based, age-specific standards
Local Authority Checks:
Councils can make informal enquiries to ensure a child is receiving a suitable education. Though parents are not legally required to follow the national curriculum or allow home visits, they should show evidence that the child is learning. It is in the best interests of both the parent and the child to allow home visits…they can offer avice and support!
Although home visits are not compulsory, councils have a duty under s.436A of the Education Act 1996 to know which children in their local authority are being educated at home so are entitled to make informal enquiries. If a parent does not respond to these enquiries, the council will assume that their child is not receiving a ‘suitable education.’ If this is the case, they can issue a legal notice for the parent to provide evidence.
Home Education & Special Educational Needs (SEN) – Key Points
Can I home educate my child if they have SEN?
Yes. Parents have the same right to home educate whether or not their child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. The council cannot demand entry to your home just because of SEN.
What if my child has an EHC plan?
- Parents can provide education themselves if it’s suitable.
- If it is suitable, the local authority does not have to arrange the support in the plan.
- If the education at home stops being suitable, the council must step in and provide the support set out in the plan.
What if I can’t meet my child’s needs at home?
If parents cannot provide education but school is not appropriate, the local authority can arrange SEN provision elsewhere, sometimes even in the home, but delivered by others.
Does home education have to look like school?
No. Different approaches are fine as long as they meet the child’s needs. But if the council decides home education isn’t working, they may issue a school attendance order.
Can I ask for an SEN assessment?
Yes. Parents of home-educated children can request an SEN assessment or reassessment. The local authority must follow the same process and timescales as for schooled children.
What about older children?
Home education is still an option after age 16. Local authorities should involve parents in reviewing EHC plans for young people who are educated at home until 18.
Tips for Successful Home Education
Set clear routines: Children often benefit from a structured daily or weekly routine, even if it’s flexible.
Choose your approach: Some families follow structured curriculums (similar to school), while others prefer child-led or project-based learning. Pick what works best for your child.
Use resources wisely: Libraries, online courses, museums, community groups, and educational apps can all be valuable.
Connect with others: Many areas have home education groups where families meet for activities, socialisation, and support.
Keep records: Track your child’s progress through work samples, journals, or digital portfolios. This can help if the local authority asks for evidence, and it’s useful for your own peace of mind.
Prepare for exams (if needed): Home-educated children can take GCSEs or other qualifications as private candidates. This usually means registering with an exam centre and paying entry fees.
Focus on life skills: Beyond academics, home education is an opportunity to teach practical skills like budgeting, cooking, communication, and problem-solving.
