Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Written evidence submitted by Thomas Denton to The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee (CWSB71)

Introduction

My name is Thomas Denton and I am a dedicated home-educating parent to my 12-year-old daughter. Home education has been a transformative journey for our family, allowing us to provide a personalised and nurturing learning environment tailored to her unique needs. I am deeply concerned about the potential implications of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, particularly the proposal for a compulsory register, and its impact on home-educating families like mine.

Executive Summary

In this submission, I will cover the following:

· Background: Our family’s home education journey and the benefits we have experienced.

· Areas of Concern: Key issues with the Bill, focusing on Section 436B Duty to register children not in school, its implications for home-educating families, and concerns about increased state control.

· Recommendations: Proposed amendments to the Bill and alternative approaches to support children’s wellbeing without compromising parental rights.

Background

Our decision to home educate began when my daughter was very young. My partner and I were fortunate to share the responsibility of her care throughout the week. Having taken the time to support her development up to the age of four, it felt natural to continue meeting her evolving needs as her parents.

As someone who struggled with dyslexia in the traditional school system, I wanted to provide her with a learning experience free from the limitations and challenges I faced. Over the past 12 years, my daughter has grown into a thoughtful, kind, intuitive, and confident young person. Home education has enabled us to create a nurturing and individualised learning environment tailored to her unique needs and interests.

Home education has truly allowed my daughter to flourish. She has developed a deep love for learning, reading countless books, and participating in drama, social, and sports groups. She also enjoys attending online courses in psychology, history, and politics, and recently achieved her first aid award. This personalised approach has fostered her confidence, curiosity, and independence. Qualities that might not have been cultivated as effectively in a conventional setting.

Areas of Concern Surrounding the Bill

Section 436B Duty to register children not in school

I am particularly concerned about the proposal in Section 436B, which would mandate registering all children not in school. While safeguarding is vital, this requirement is both unnecessary and intrusive for families like mine. My daughter is already known to various professionals in the community, including her dentist, GP, and social and sports groups. These existing connections ensure she is visible and engaged, and further registration adds no tangible benefit.

This measure feels like an overreach of state control into the freedoms of capable, confident parents to educate and raise their children as they see fit. By imposing this duty to register, the Bill undermines the autonomy of home-educating families and implies a lack of trust in their ability to make the best decisions for their children. It risks stigmatising home educators and creating unnecessary administrative burdens without addressing the real issues within the existing safeguarding system.

Moreover, recent high-profile cases of child harm cited as justification for such measures typically involved children already known to authorities. These tragic incidents point to failures in existing systems rather than a lack of oversight of home-educated children. A compulsory register does little to address these systemic issues but instead risks penalising responsible families.

Recommendations for Amendments and Further Action

Remove the Duty to Register:

· Eliminate Section 436B and instead focus on improving existing safeguarding mechanisms that already engage with children and families through healthcare and community networks.

Strengthen Existing Safeguarding Systems:

· Invest in training and resources for professionals within current systems to identify and address genuine risks more effectively.

Consult with Experts and Communities:

· Engage with home education experts, such as Dr. Naomi Fisher, Michael Charles, and Jenn Hodge, to ensure that policies are informed by evidence and the lived experiences of home-educating families.

Offer Voluntary Support Networks:

· Provide optional resources and support for home-educating families without mandating intrusive registration measures.

Improve the Failing School System:

· Prioritise investment in schools, particularly in supporting children with special educational needs (SEN), to address systemic issues that push many families toward home education as their only viable option.

Redirect Resources:

· Instead of allocating funds to maintain a compulsory register, use those resources to enhance schools and associated support systems. This approach would more effectively address the root causes of educational challenges while respecting parental freedoms.

Conclusion

While I support the goal of improving children’s wellbeing, Section 436B of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill raises significant concerns for home-educating families. By reconsidering the register and focusing on strengthening existing systems, the government can ensure that all children receive the care and education they deserve without infringing on parental rights or creating unnecessary burdens. I urge the Select Committee to take these points into account and work collaboratively with home educators to develop a fair and effective approach.

Thank you for considering my submission.

January 2025