Home education

Home education for children with SEND

If your child has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), you have the same right as other parents to educate them at home. This is known as elective home education (EHE).

You must make sure your child receives a suitable full-time education from the age of 5. If your child has SEND, you will be responsible for providing any support they need while being educated at home. 

You should not be placed under pressure by a school to start teaching your child at home. If you feel this is happening, contact our SEND Team or SENDIASS for advice. 

If your child has an EHCP

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and you choose to educate them at home, you will usually be responsible for arranging and funding the provision set out in their plan.

Wokingham Borough Council will continue to arrange EHCP annual reviews.

Telling your child's school

If your child goes to a mainstream school

You must tell the school in writing if you want to educate your child at home. The school will then notify the council. 

Find out more about informing your child's school.

If your child goes to a special school

You must get agreement for them council before you can education your child at home. 

Contact:

• the Elective Home Education Coordinator: ehe@wokingham.gov.uk
• the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team: sen@wokingham.gov.uk

Elective home education policy 

For more guidance, read Wokingham Borough Council's elective home education policy. 

You can also read the elective home education guidance on GOV.UK. 

Get advice from SENDIASS

You can contact the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) for advice about home education. 

Phone: 0118 908 8233

Email: sendiass@wokingham.gov.uk

SENDIASS also offers drop-in sessions every two weeks. They are free and confidential. You do not need an appointment.

Find out when the next drop-in sessions are on the SENDIASS website.

Education other than at school (EOTAS)

In some cases, a child or young person with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) may not be able to attend a nursery, school or college.

When this happens, the council and family may agree that the child or young person should receive their education in a different way. This is called Education Other Than At School (EOTAS).

EOTAS is different from elective home education (EHE). It is only considered when education in a nursery, school or college setting is not appropriate for the child or young person's needs.

Find out more about Education other than at school (EOTAS).