Home Schooling

Lord Bishop of Guildford Excerpts

Thursday 19th December 2024 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[The Lord Bishop of Guildford]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to review the rules on home schooling in the light of the murder of Sara Sharif.

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

Before I address the Question, I beg your Lordships’ indulgence as I would like to say a few words about Sara Sharif. On behalf of your Lordships’ House, I pay tribute to a beautiful 10 year-old girl who loved to sing. I extend our condolences to those who knew her, who must be devastated by her loss in such circumstances. Sara’s father, stepmother and uncle have rightly been brought to justice, and I hope that this serves as some comfort to those who love her. While the local child safeguarding practice review into Sara’s death will identify any failings, we must also recognise that social workers, police officers, health workers, teachers and others, serving our country’s most vulnerable children and families, strive every day to keep them safe.

Protecting children from harm could not be more important to the Government, and we are already taking swift action through our landmark reforms to children’s social care, the biggest overhaul in a generation. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, introduced this week, brings forward a series of new safety measures, with a focus on a joined-up system to help prevent vulnerable children falling through the cracks. This Bill contains measures requiring parents to obtain local authority consent before they can home educate if their child is subject to a child protection inquiry or has a child protection plan. Local authorities will have powers to require any home-educated child to attend school if their home or learning environment is unsuitable.

[The Lord Bishop of Guildford]

I thank the Minister for her moving Answer to my Question. The death of Sara Sharif and the subsequent trial have, understandably, caused the deepest upset across the nation, especially in the diocese which I serve and the church school from which Sara was withdrawn by her father and stepmother. I welcome the proposals in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the Prime Minister’s strong stance during PMQs in the other place. Could I ask His Majesty’s Government to go further than is currently envisaged and consider creating a new statutory duty on local authorities to visit home-schooling homes at least once a term to ensure that children’s education and their welfare are properly monitored and protected?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

My Lords, I put on record our thanks to the right reverend Prelate for the work that he will be doing in his diocese to support the communities which will be struggling, especially right now, and coming to terms with the consequences of the trial. With regard to the proposals put forward by the right reverend Prelate, we are about to start consultation on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which was introduced in the other place just this week. Consultations will continue in this place, and I look forward to discussing it with him. In advance of such discussions on the legislation, I have spoken to the Minister responsible in the other place, and she has offered to host a round table immediately after Christmas with noble Lords who are interested so that we can discuss these issues in detail in a more appropriate setting.