Developing relationships

As noted in our introduction to these guidelines, the central aim of this document is to assist us and parents in carrying out our statutory responsibilities/duties with respect to elective home educated children. We hope that this will enable us to build effective relationships with home educators that function to safeguard the educational interests of children and young people: relationships that are rooted in mutual understanding, trust and respect.

While there isn't a legal obligation on us or home educators to develop such relationships, doing so will often provide parents with access to any available support. This allows us to better understand parents’ educational provision and preferences. A positive relationship will also provide a sound basis if we are required to investigate assertions from any source that an efficient and suitable education is not being provided.