See answers to previous information requests

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the training provided to staff involved in Elective Home Education (EHE) within your authority. This request relates to the past five years. Specifically, I would like to request the following:

Training Content and Scope
1. Details of all formal and informal training provided to EHE staff relating to home education.
Information on whether this training includes coverage of the diverse range of home education styles, inspirational educators and pedagogies, including (but not limited to): unschooling, democratic, self -directed, Steiner, Waldorf, Montessori inspired, Charlotte Mason, structured, school-at-home approaches, Classical education, semi structured, Child-led, project-based learning, experiential learning, and eclectic methods.
Formal training – Education Otherwise September 2022 for the whole of the Education Welfare Team, which includes the Elective Home Education Officer. Different home education methods were discussed.
Informal training – via AEWN, DfE, SEEHEO, liaison with officers in neighbouring authorities. Informal training with Special Schools on how to support young people with special educational needs – on a case by case basis.

Training Materials
2. Copies of any training materials, guidance documents, presentations, or manuals used in delivering this training over the past five years.
No training documents are available as documents were printed.

Training Frequency and Requirements
3. How often EHE staff are required to undertake training related to home education practices. No expectations around training, staff are employed based on their appropriateness for the role. We keep ourselves up to date with relevant polices and legislation updates.

4. Whether ongoing professional development in this area is mandatory or optional.
Optional

External Input and Expertise
5. Details of any external organisations, consultants, or home education representatives involved in designing or delivering training within the past five years.
Education Otherwise, AEWN, DfE

6. Any mechanisms in place to incorporate feedback from home educating families into staff training.
No

Assessment and Evaluation
7. How the effectiveness of EHE training is assessed.
Via internal supervision

8. Any internal or external evaluations conducted within the past five years regarding staff understanding of the diversity of home education styles and pedagogies, including unschooling approaches.
Internal evaluations from colleagues in relation to GRT families who EHE, plus Social Care and SEND colleagues in relation to vulnerable young people.