Elective Home Education Hub

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Welcome to Elective Home Education (EHE)

This page provides information for parent's who are considering educating their child at home, as well as on-going guidance and information for existing home educators.

Education is a fundamental right for every child and we recognise that parents have the right to choose to educate their child at home rather than at school. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children receive a suitable education. Where parents have chosen to home educate, we want the home-educated child to have a positive experience.

The legal responsibility for a child’s education rests with their parents. While most parents choose to educate their children by sending them to school, others choose to educate their children at home. So, education is compulsory but school isn’t.

Those parents who make the decision to take responsibility for their child’s education instead of sending to school are Electively Home Educating (EHE).

By choosing to electively home educate, parents are taking on the full responsibility for their children’s education, ensuring it is full-time, suitable and effective. There are no funds available for parents who decide to home educate their children.

As a local authority, we have a duty to ensure all children receive a full-time, suitable and effective education, including those who are electively home educated.

We are committed to working with home educating parents to ensure home education is a success for all.

We carry out our duty through regular engagement with families in a range of ways including visits, calls and parental reports. These reviews also offer the opportunity for home educating families to raise any concerns or requests for advice and guidance regarding the educational provision being made.

Further information on how the EHE team works with families and fulfils its duty please contact the team at ehe@southend.gov.uk or by the contact details on the 'who's listening' tab.

Welcome to Elective Home Education (EHE)

This page provides information for parent's who are considering educating their child at home, as well as on-going guidance and information for existing home educators.

Education is a fundamental right for every child and we recognise that parents have the right to choose to educate their child at home rather than at school. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children receive a suitable education. Where parents have chosen to home educate, we want the home-educated child to have a positive experience.

The legal responsibility for a child’s education rests with their parents. While most parents choose to educate their children by sending them to school, others choose to educate their children at home. So, education is compulsory but school isn’t.

Those parents who make the decision to take responsibility for their child’s education instead of sending to school are Electively Home Educating (EHE).

By choosing to electively home educate, parents are taking on the full responsibility for their children’s education, ensuring it is full-time, suitable and effective. There are no funds available for parents who decide to home educate their children.

As a local authority, we have a duty to ensure all children receive a full-time, suitable and effective education, including those who are electively home educated.

We are committed to working with home educating parents to ensure home education is a success for all.

We carry out our duty through regular engagement with families in a range of ways including visits, calls and parental reports. These reviews also offer the opportunity for home educating families to raise any concerns or requests for advice and guidance regarding the educational provision being made.

Further information on how the EHE team works with families and fulfils its duty please contact the team at ehe@southend.gov.uk or by the contact details on the 'who's listening' tab.

  • Autism and ADHD support groups and workshops

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    The Lighthouse team is holding a number of Autism and ADHD support sessions for families in Southend, Essex and surrounding areas. Your child does not need to have a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD for you to join these sessions, they are open to all families.

    To find out more


    The Lighthouse team is holding a number of Autism and ADHD support sessions for families in Southend, Essex and surrounding areas. Your child does not need to have a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD for you to join these sessions, they are open to all families.

    To find out more


  • FREE - YMCA - All In Music (AIM) Sessions

    Share FREE - YMCA - All In Music (AIM) Sessions on Facebook Share FREE - YMCA - All In Music (AIM) Sessions on Twitter Share FREE - YMCA - All In Music (AIM) Sessions on Linkedin Email FREE - YMCA - All In Music (AIM) Sessions link

  • EHE Art Exhibition - 10th - 21st June 2026

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  • FREE online Parent/Carer Sessions - Y6 Transition

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    The Specialist Teaching Team are offering free, one-hour online session designed for parents and carers of Year 6 students with SEND or additional needs. Although these sessions are primarily aimed at families of children with SEND or additional needs, any parent or carer concerned about the transition is very welcome to attend. To book your place email: LaurenLawrence@southend.gov.uk


    The Specialist Teaching Team are offering free, one-hour online session designed for parents and carers of Year 6 students with SEND or additional needs. Although these sessions are primarily aimed at families of children with SEND or additional needs, any parent or carer concerned about the transition is very welcome to attend. To book your place email: LaurenLawrence@southend.gov.uk


  • Southend SEND Information Day

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    Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) and the SEND Local Offer Team are pleased to announce the second Southend SEND Information Day on Tuesday 16 June 2026.

    This is a free event for the Southend SEND community. It is open to parent carers or family members of children or young people with SEND, and professionals.

    Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) and the SEND Local Offer Team are pleased to announce the second Southend SEND Information Day on Tuesday 16 June 2026.

    This is a free event for the Southend SEND community. It is open to parent carers or family members of children or young people with SEND, and professionals.

  • Southend Community College Pathways Programme September 2026 - Post 16

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    Ages 16-19 (yr12 and above). Multiple courses to choose from. No entry requirements.

    Contact your EHE advisor

    or Alison Jack at Southend Community College on 01702 445700.

    Ages 16-19 (yr12 and above). Multiple courses to choose from. No entry requirements.

    Contact your EHE advisor

    or Alison Jack at Southend Community College on 01702 445700.

  • Southend Community College King's Trust Programme - Post 16

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    Free 12 week programme for ages 16 (year 12) to 25 years. 12 week course, held three times a year. Now enrolling for September 2026 start. No entry requirements.

    Contact your EHE advisor

    or Alison Jack at Southend Community College on 01702 445700 / KingsTrust@southend-adult.ac.uk

    Free 12 week programme for ages 16 (year 12) to 25 years. 12 week course, held three times a year. Now enrolling for September 2026 start. No entry requirements.

    Contact your EHE advisor

    or Alison Jack at Southend Community College on 01702 445700 / KingsTrust@southend-adult.ac.uk

  • EHE update...

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    Hello everyone,

    I’m aware that some of you have seen the email circulating about the proposed changes to home education legislation, and I completely understand that the tone of the message may have caused worry or uncertainty. I want to reassure you that there is no immediate change to the law and nothing you need to do differently at this stage.

    While the Bill mentioned in the email is progressing through Parliament, no new requirements are currently in place, and we will ensure families receive clear, accurate information directly from us if and when anything becomes law. We also

    Hello everyone,

    I’m aware that some of you have seen the email circulating about the proposed changes to home education legislation, and I completely understand that the tone of the message may have caused worry or uncertainty. I want to reassure you that there is no immediate change to the law and nothing you need to do differently at this stage.

    While the Bill mentioned in the email is progressing through Parliament, no new requirements are currently in place, and we will ensure families receive clear, accurate information directly from us if and when anything becomes law. We also want to emphasise that any future changes would come with official guidance, transition periods, and support for families—nothing will happen suddenly.

    Our role is to work with home-educating families in a supportive and respectful way. We are committed to maintaining positive relationships and making sure you feel informed rather than alarmed. If national guidance changes in the future, we will communicate this calmly, transparently, and with plenty of notice.

    If you have any concerns or would like to talk things through, please feel free to contact us. We are here to support you and your children, and we will continue to keep you updated on any verified developments.


    Kind regards,

    Victoria

    Victoria Pallen | Access & Engagement Education Manager


    Children & Public Health Department

    Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. SS2 6ER.

    victoriapallen@southend.gov.uk

    electivehomeeducation@southend.gov.uk

  • Water Safety on River Thames

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    The Port of London Authority's for river campaign - stay back - stay out - stay safe To find out more


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    The Port of London Authority's for river campaign - stay back - stay out - stay safe To find out more


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  • Connexions - Post GCSE Event

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    Connexions post GCSE Event

    Our post GCSE event is being held at The Forum on Friday 22nd August. As usual we will have local providers in attendance. In addition this year we will also be having a drop in opportunity for all young people at The Forum starting Tuesday 26th and continuing until Friday 29th August between 10am – 2pm everyday where advisers will be available to offer 1-2-1 advice and guidance for anyone who needs additional help.

    Connexions post GCSE Event

    Our post GCSE event is being held at The Forum on Friday 22nd August. As usual we will have local providers in attendance. In addition this year we will also be having a drop in opportunity for all young people at The Forum starting Tuesday 26th and continuing until Friday 29th August between 10am – 2pm everyday where advisers will be available to offer 1-2-1 advice and guidance for anyone who needs additional help.

Page last updated: 10 Jun 2026, 12:18 PM