We wrote about the private members’ Home Education Bill put forward by Lord Soley in the last EducationEye, following its second reading in the House of Lords in November last year.

The Bill aims to make it mandatory for parents to notify education authorities when their child reaches school age and for any home-schooled child to receive regular assessments.

If it is eventually passed by the Lords, it will go to the House of Commons for consideration. A minority of private members’ bills become law, but they can create publicity for an issue and affect legislation indirectly.

It will be of particular interest to Prospect members who work as education welfare officers and are employed by councils to ensure every child receives a suitable, full-time education.

Prospect contacted Lord Soley to confirm the union would make a submission on the Bill when it is open to public consultation and asked him why he is pushing for the legislation.

This is what Lord Soley had to say.

“I have been aware of the issues around home education for some years.

“I am not opposed to home education but some parents need help and there is evidence that a minority of schools are pushing parents into home education because of the child’s difficulties in school.

“There is also a minority of parents who are use home education for radicalisation, trafficking and abuse. My Bill would require all children to be registered and for an annual or more frequent assessment.” 

Writing in The Times last month, Lord Soley cited research from the National Children’s Bureau, which found that almost 50,000 children disappeared from schools last year.

He said the number of children being home-schooled is increasing dramatically, with some areas reporting a 45% increase over the past five years. He has suggested the government find out why this is happening and how well home-educated children are doing generally.

Steve Thomas, Prospect national secretary, said: “...