Dealing With Your Local Education Authority: What You Need to Know

Note: This article refers to dealing with local authorities in England.

What is a Local Education Authority?

A local education authority is responsible for the education within its district, ensuring that every child receives a suitable, full-time education, whether in school or home educated.

Do Home Educators Have to Notify Their LA?

If your child has never attended school, you do not need to notify your local authority that you intend to home educate.

If your child is registered at school, you only have to notify the headteacher of your intention to home educate when you request to deregister them. The school itself will notify the local authority.

Check out: How to deregister your child from school

Why Might Your Local Authority Contact You?

Some families are lucky enough to have remained under the radar and that’s perfectly okay. If this is the case, you do not have to do anything or contact your local authority.

The local authority will likely contact you when they realise that your child is not on a school register. They should write to confirm that you are home educating and that the education is suitable. 

Your local authority might contact you asking about the provision of your child’s education. You do not have to offer this information, unless it is requested. If the LA requests details by sending forms, you do not have to fill them out (but you can if you want to). Instead, it is recommended that you write your own educational report based on your child’s learning and progress.

Check out: How to write a home education report

What You Need to Know About a Local Education Authority

1. It is the local authority’s responsibility to ensure that every child is receiving a suitable education.
2. They are entitled to make a reasonable, informal enquiry with regards to seeking information about a child’s education, providing they do not overstep the mark.
3. They cannot instruct a school to decline the removal of a child from a school register.
4. They might turn up at your doorstep unannounced. If they do, you are not obliged to invite them in. Instead, politely decline their visit, tell them you are busy and that you would like them to communicate with you via writing or email.
5. Local authority officers should not specify set hours, set days or set dates for home education to take place. 
6. It is not lawful for local authority officers to serve school attendance orders based on non-compliance. You are well within your right to refuse requests of work and meetings, as long as you provide a sufficient report.
7. Local authorities usually request a yearly update.
8. Local authorities should specify their reasons/concerns if they deem the provision of education to be unsuitable. 
9. Some local authorities may try to push too far for information or come across as threatening. Do not feel pressured or worried to decline visits or unfair requests. 

8 Tips for Home Educators Dealing With Their Local Authority

1. Always respond to their communication

It’s best to always respond to communication from your local authority, regardless of whether you agree to their requests or not. By ignoring any communication, you risk making matters worse and having your LA believe that your child is not receiving a suitable education. Remember, if they ask about the provision of your child’s education, you should write your own report. 

2. Keep all communication in writing

Any communication is best kept in writing, whether by letter or email. That way you have a paper trail and can refer back to any information if ever needed. If your local authority contacts you over the phone or even in person, ask them to keep all communication in writing. 

3. You do not have to fill out any forms that your local authority may provide

You’re not under any obligation to fill out any forms that your local authority may provide, although you can if you want to. Some of their questions may not seem relevant to Home Education or be too intrusive, which is why we recommend writing your own education report.

4. If they ask you to provide information about your child’s education, you can provide your own education report

Writing your own education report is always recommended. There’s no set rules on how to write a home education report, but it should provide enough information to satisfy the local authority that your child is receiving the education they deserve.

5. You do not have to provide samples of your child’s work

Some parents may choose to provide samples or images of their child’s work but please know that you do not have to. Simply describing their education in sufficient detail within your report is enough.

6. Do not accept visits from your local education authority

There is no reason for the LA to see you or your child, unless you want to. Some local authorities are known to test boundaries and provide false information, which may make you believe that you have to meet with them. Just remember that you can politely refuse them.

7. Be polite and know your rights

It’s always important to be polite, no matter how pushy a local authority officer may be. Knowing your rights will help you to stand up against any unnecessary requests or unfair action.

8. Always seek advice if you’re unsure about something

If you’re ever in doubt, the best thing you can do is seek advice. There are various Home Education groups on Facebook filled with questions and answers related to local authorities and lots of information online, so you’ll always be able to find the right advice. 

We hope this helps you! If you need further support, feel free to contact us! 

There are also two other great websites with resources and advice on how to help you deal with your Local Authority:

• Educational Freedom
• Education Otherwise