Home education

Any parent can choose to home educate so long as they provide an efficient and suitable education that is suitable to the age, aptitude and ability of the child or young person.

Parents/carers should write a letter to request consent to withdraw their child from school in order to home educate. This letter should  be addressed to Nichola Roberts, (Quality Improvement Manager Additional Support Needs and Children's Services). This letter should include your child’s name, date of birth and current school.

On receipt of a request or enquiry, Rebecca Hoyle, Inclusion Support Officer will contact the family to discuss the next steps.

Once the process is complete parents or carers will receive a letter informing them whether the request is granted or whether further information is required.

If the request is granted the child’s name will be removed from the school roll.

Parents/carers should provide an education proposal.

They need to demonstrate that they are providing an education that is suitable for the child. This proposal should include an indication of resources that will be used.

Parents/ carers can choose to submit a written outline of provision, alternatively a meeting can be offered to parents to discuss their proposals.

The format of this discussion is flexible. Meetings can be arranged via telephone, at a mutually agreed venue, or via digital technology.

East Dunbartonshire Council will seek opportunities to invite the child to express their views during this process.

On receipt of a request the Inclusion Support Officer, responsible for Home Education, will check whether there is any evidence indicating that there may be good reason to refuse consent, for example where there are child protection procedures or where the child is the subject of a supervision requirement.

All information is stored in accordance with our GDPR policy.

The Inclusion Support Officer can be contacted for advice and support at any time. They can provide advice and signpost additional resources.

It is the parent/carers' responsibility to provide the resources and to meet any costs associated with this.

An Inclusion Support Officer will make contact with the family on an annual basis. The purpose of this contact is for the Authority to satisfy them selves that suitable and efficient education is being provided. 

Occasionally East Dunbartonshire Council receives information that is relevant to share with home education families. This information will be posted on this webpage. 

If there are any concerns about the educational provision, more frequent contact may be requested.

Parents can choose whether to provide a written update, to have a meeting, or to provide information via an alternative means.

There is no legal requirement for young people to take particular qualifications.

Parents/carers that home educate can make arrangements for their child to sit formal qualifications, (for example through a local college, or online providers). Parents/carers are responsible for any costs of formal qualifications.   

Once you child approaches school leaving age the Inclusion Support Officer will provide details for Skills Development Service (SDS) during annual contact.

If consent is given we can signpost other supports and services that can help your child to make decisions about their future.

As pupils reach 16, families will be contacted to inform them that their name will be removed from the list of home educated pupils. This letter will sign post other services, such as EMA and SDS Scotland,.

In most cases pupils will be removed from home education records when they reach compulsory school leaving age of 16. Young people aged between 16-19 who are following a home education programme may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).   

A home education record will remain for pupils claiming Education Maintenance Allowance.

To find out more, visit the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) page.

Scottish Child Payment (SCP) is a weekly payment of £25, paid every 4 weeks, that you can get for every child you look after. These payments provide financial support direct to eligible families and carers to help towards the costs of supporting their child.

The eligibility criteria for this payment is not connected with that of the Free School Meals initiative, and home educators are encouraged to apply if they think they may qualify. In order to qualify for SCP, you must be in receipt of a qualifying reserved benefit, such as Universal Credit or Child Tax Credits.

See further information regarding Scottish Child Payment eligibility requirements on the Government website.

Apply for the Scottish Child Payment.

The childhood immunisation team have clinics that can provide vaccinations to home educated children.

To make an appointment for 5-12 year old children for their flu vaccination, or a child between the ages of 12-17yrs old with a pre-existing health issue parents/carers should email schoolimmsflu@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Please state the child or young person’s name, DOB, CHI (if available) and reason for needing appointment within the email.

Free sanitary products are being made available throughout East Dunbartonshire. Visit the Free period products web page.

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 has been put in place to provide free access to period products for anyone in Scotland who might need them. The 'Pickupmyperiod' App advises where you can collect free period products. The links are below:-

View the App Store for Apple.

View Google Play Store for Android.

East Dunbartonshire Council consider requests for Flexi Schooling arrangements, (where the child is home schooled for part of the week), on an individual basis. A similar procedure is followed to full time Home Education requests. Ultimately, it is a decision for the local authority and school as to whether they are able to support such an arrangement. When a Flexi School request is received, a meeting will be held with the school, family and Education Officer responsible for Home Education to discuss feasibility and practical arrangements of the request.

A parent/carer can educate their child at home if their child has additional support needs.

The council may ask parents/carers how they plan to meet their child’s needs.

In some cases, we offer continued support or guidance from the Educational Psychology Service.

For further guidance on Additional Support Needs and Home Education, visit the Enquire website.

Within East Dunbartonshire Home Educating parents are invited to be part of our local parent group. The purpose of this group is to gather views and develop supports to home educating families.

If you are interested in joining this group please email Nichola Roberts, (Quality Improvement Manager Additional Support Needs and Children's Services), or Rebecca Hoyle, Inclusion Support Officer requestforassistance@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Please include the words Home Education in the title bar of your email.

All children and young people over the age of 12 have the right to have their views sought about potential changes to their education. We will invite your child to share their views during this process. We will consider your request in line with United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Visit the Unicef website for more information.

If your child has additional support needs there are services available to support them. 

My Rights, My Say supports children aged 12-15 with additional support needs to exercise their rights to be involved in decisions about their support in school. Visit the My Rights, My Say website.

Reach is a service that helps young people to understand their rights, to feel supported, included, listened to and involved in decisions at school. Visit the Reach website.