Elective Home Education (EHE)
A lawful choice where parents decide to educate their child at home—either fully or through a mix of home‑based and alternative arrangements—instead of sending them to school full‑time.
Parents are responsible for providing a suitable, efficient, full‑time education, as required under the Education Act 1996, and they take on all associated costs.
EHE is distinct from education arranged by the local authority (e.g., for medical needs). While not a safeguarding risk in itself, EHE can reduce children’s visibility to professionals, so agencies maintain duties to check suitability and respond to any concerns.