Parent/LA Liaison Meeting June 18th 2008
This was the 4th meeting that parents in North Yorkshire have had with the Local Authority. There was a really good parent turn out this time after RH sent invitations out to all parents.
The evening started with a chat about the 14-19 options that should be fully in place by 2013 and particulary focussed on the new Diplomas which look like they may be a viable option for some home educators in the future as the courses are broken down into several parts. It is hoped that home educators may be able to access just the Principal learning if they so wished. There will be further information and courses available listed on the futures4me website.
RH is also going to pursue the insurance issue with NYBEP for home educators.
DG cleared up some issues regarding employing children and defining the difference between work experience and employment.. It appears that in general although the law is set by central government, their is some input from the LA, for example North Yorkshire is one of the few authorities that allows children to work on milk rounds. The law itself appears to be vague as it doesn’t use set times but uses terms such as before the school day begins which of course doesn’t apply to home education. Parents should ensure that employers are acting within the law and are adequately insured but also feel free to contact RH if you are unsure.
There had been no feedback at all about the ID card for HE families, but several parents at the meeting thought that they would be good for their young people when they are out on their own. It was stressed by AC and RH that these would be in no way compulsory, it was just their might be incidences where our young people are stopped by PCOS or EWOs and the ability to hand over a card might be the answer for some. There would also be no expectation for young people to have a card as in North Yorkshire all LA staff are well aware of the law. RH is going to bring a mock up card to the next meeting.
There was good news on the adult education course front. Parents and staff on the courses were under the impression that no young person under 16 is permitted to attend, it has been confirmed by Fran Lett that this is not the case and the Adult learning courses are open to our young people, however those under 16 must be accompanied on the course by a parent for either the purpose of supervision or they could take part in the course together. Please contact Fran Lett at the Adult learning services for more information.
It was felt that although lots of us belong to various organisation that have lists of home educators in our area that an opt in list held by RH would be a nice idea and we would like some feedback on that.
