Home education guidance: island communities impact assessment

Step four- Assessment

4.1 Does your assessment identify any unique impacts on island communities?

Our assessment does not identify any unique impacts of the updated guidance on island communities, as the guidance sets out clearly the responsibilities of all stakeholders in relation to home education in Scotland.

While changes to the guidance would not impact issues experienced by home educators in island communities, it is relevant to note that some of the difficulties experienced generally by home educators may be compounded for those in island communities due to remote locations. Primarily, this would be around accessing qualifications and exams, which can be challenging for home educators. This would be compounded for those in rural areas due to travel costs involved and ease of access to examination centres. Officials recognise that this issue is not made more challenging by changes to the guidance, however it is recognised that the guidance does not improve the underlying causes of these difficulties.

4.2 Does your assessment identify any potential barriers or wider impacts?

The guidance should not present any barriers or wider impacts on island communities in terms of choosing to home educate, as it does not amend the legal position of home education within the Education (Scotland) 1980 Act. Resources are available online which would aid island communities in their plans for home education.

The updated guidance will have clearer wording which should ensure that those intending to home educate are aware of what resources may be available to them before withdrawing their child from school, and should make it clearer that the local authority will no longer have responsibility for the provision of their child’s education.

Access to examinations and qualifications is a point consistently raised by stakeholders, and this issue is compounded for those located in island communities due to their remote location, particularly with regard to cost as these often have to be sought on the mainland. This may present a barrier to achieving qualifications for those home educating in island communities. However, the guidance notes that home education is a choice, and that the local authority does not have responsibility for providing resources such as these once this choice has been made.

Respondents noted that alternative approaches to qualifications are an option. For example, using interest-based certificates such as music or sports, or qualifications through the open university. Entry level courses can be completed and built upon, as an alternative route to SQA/GCSE accreditation, as well as GCSEs. Further, qualifications can be sought through the University of Highlands and Islands, although families are encouraged to explore whether these options are suitable for their needs before making the choice to home educate.

Respondents to the island-specific consultation advocated a hands-off approach from the local authority, and questioned why provision of an education plan to local authorities is needed if they are not followed up by the authority. However, it should be noted that in engagement with local authorities, the respondents noted that greater communication with families would help them to better fulfil their duties. This point is discussed more fully at 5.1.

Respondents additionally noted that high quality internet access is key to achieving an efficient home education.

4.3 How will you address these?

Wording in the refreshed guidance will clarify that home education is a choice which means that the local authority will no longer be responsible for providing a child’s education. We will encourage families to engage with their local authorities prior to making the request to withdraw to ascertain what support may and may not be available to them after beginning to home educate.

It is expected that working with local authorities to explore options for high-level data collection will allow for better understanding of the locations and numbers of stakeholders who are home educating and may allow us to consider island home educators and their needs more comprehensively in future policy decisions.

Additionally, we will liaise with local authorities to ensure that they are adhering to the guidance in line with their responsibilities to home educating families who have made themselves known. For example, to ensure that feedback is provided for education plans which have been submitted.

It should be noted that the choice to home educate leaves the parent responsible for providing efficient education that is suitable to the age, ability and aptitude of their child. Therefore, factors such as additional cost must be considered prior to making this choice.