Home education for a child with SEND

Parents can choose to teach their child at home instead of sending them to school. This includes children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), whether or not they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

If your child has an EHCP, it will stay in place and still be checked every year. But if you decide to teach your child at home, you are responsible for making sure they get the right kind of education.

You must give your child a full-time education that suits their:

• Age
• Abilities
• Special needs (if they have any)

Planning ahead will help your child adjust and learn well. Think about:

• What type of teaching suits your child best
• Whether you will teach them yourself or use tutors
• Local groups or places for learning and making friends

There is no government money to help with home education, so you will need to pay for things like:

• Books and learning tools
• Exam fees
• Travel to learning activities
• Clubs or group activities

If your child is currently in school and you want to start home educating, you must inform the school in writing that you are electing to home educate. This means you are choosing to take full responsibility for your child’s education.

Once you send your letter, the school will notify the local authority.  Someone from the local authority will then get in touch with you to talk about your plans.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and attends a special school, the local authority must agree that you can meet the needs outlined in the EHCP before your child can be removed from the school roll. For all other children, the school will remove them from the roll after receiving your written decision.

Schools may ask if there is anything more they can do to support your child staying in school, in case you are still considering that option.

If you choose to home educate, there is help available:

• An education welfare officer will contact you to discuss your decision.
• They can share ideas and activities that other parents have found useful.
• If your child has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), you can request a conversation with a home education officer to talk through ways to support your child.
• When you share details of your education plan with the local authority, and they have any questions, a home education officer may contact you.
• You will be asked to provide reports on how your child is progressing after a few months, and then when you have been home educating for about a year, then each year after that.
• If your child has an EHCP, you will be able to discuss your home education arrangements during the annual review.
• You can sign up for the "Your Leicester" newsletter to find out about local events and activities.
• You can also explore My Choice, a directory of local support services and organisations.

If you decide you want to return your child to school, you are able to do that by applying for a school place, or, if your child has an EHCP, by contacting the special education service. 

If your child does not appear to be receiving a suitable education including their needs not being met, the local authority is likely to contact you about your child returning to school. 

To learn more about home education, visit our Home Education information page.