Policy Statement
The London Borough of Waltham Forest recognises the right of parents to make lawful arrangements to educate their child at home.
Elective Home Education (EHE) and the Fair Access Protocol are separate arrangements with different purposes and responsibilities.
A child or young person's previous or current involvement with Elective Home Education should not, in itself, determine whether the Fair Access Protocol applies.
Where a mainstream school place is subsequently required, the appropriate admissions arrangements will be followed and consideration under the Fair Access Protocol will take place only where the child or young person meets the relevant Fair Access criteria.
17.1 Purpose
This section clarifies the relationship between Elective Home Education and the Fair Access Protocol.
It is not intended to reproduce the Council's separate policies and procedures for Elective Home Education.
17.2 Relationship with Fair Access
A child who has been electively home educated does not automatically become eligible for consideration through the Fair Access Protocol.
Where a parent or carer subsequently seeks a mainstream school place, the circumstances should first be considered through the appropriate admissions arrangements.
Where the child meets the Fair Access eligibility criteria set out elsewhere in this Protocol, a referral may be considered through the Fair Access process.
The same principles of timely access, individual consideration, fair distribution and successful and sustainable placement will apply.
17.3 Returning to Mainstream Education
Where a child or young person returns from Elective Home Education and requires a mainstream school place, relevant information should be considered to support appropriate educational planning and transition.
Depending upon the circumstances, this may include consideration of:
The purpose of considering this information is to support appropriate placement and transition planning.
17.4 Roles and Responsibilities
The Council's arrangements for Elective Home Education remain governed by the relevant EHE policy and operational procedures.
The School Admissions Team will coordinate the admissions process where a parent or carer seeks a mainstream school place.
The Fair Access Panel will become involved only where a referral has been assessed as appropriate for consideration under the Fair Access Protocol.
The receiving school, where identified, will support admission and transition in accordance with the principles established throughout this Protocol.
17.5 Key Practice Points