Suffolk and Doorstepping

[Diane]

The one that Labour and the EU has encouraged and allowed to flourish. And the Coalition don't seem to be much better...

Diane

[Helen_A]

Just thought - but you use the libraries, yes? So your children have therefore been regularly seen by a 'council official'. (I'm told by librarians here that they are considered 'officers of the local authority' due to job and position on the pay scale)

Probably not useful, but possibly? :-*

[Earthtracer]

Good question indeed, Elaine.

LovingHomeEd, I hope you keep a vat of boiling oil to tip down upon the enemy forces assaulting your castle!

[LovingHomeEd]

Good idea, Earth Tracer! There's a huge house near our very overcrowded council estate that is set in an enormous plot of land, surrounded on three sides by trees, that has a long and winding driveway leading up to the front door. The front boundary is marked by a very high, yet elegant, brick wall, with enormous double gates and an entry phone system. It's not the size of the house that I crave, it's the privacy!

I do think it's made me a bit paranoid now - I always feel like I'm being watched.

[llondel]

I guess they've had their ears bent a bit. This is the latest from elsewhere:

Adrian Orr, who works for Suffolk EHE, is reviewing what has happened at Suffolk. He can be reached on 01473 264709 if anyone wants further information. He has explained the situation as follows:

There are three EHE departments. The western one lost their senior consultant after a sudden illness which culminated in death. They have a new person who has taken on the role and who hasn't understood what they can and can't do (overzealous). The policy is not supported by Suffolk at all and it has been stopped already.

Adrian Orr is sorry that the effect of this policy may be to alienate the home education community from the EHE department. It was an accident rather than an intentional policy and in fact some of the home ed consultants were concerned about it and had already brought it to his attention!

He is also going to review the website. He was unaware that anything on it was ultra vires or confusing etc. He would welcome external input from Suffolk or national home educators who know the law but in the meantime an internal review will be conducted.

In summary, the whole thing was due to somebody new coming into the department and getting it wrong! Suffolk hope that trust will be built again and would welcome input from home educators.

[glenngranter]

Good news llondel - Are you really a cat? - Our Sooty (black cat of course)loves you, and the kids and me think you are a bit of a soldier for the good - Imagine if like Suffolk has three EHE departments you were three? - The mind boggles as to what fine changes for the better would abound -

[JulieG]

So we are supposed to asssume that Suffolk LA didn't bother even going over the relevent laws with this new member of staff. That he/she was given the job with NO prior knowledge of the law (probably an ex-teacher) and NO training. That this new member of staff was given totally free rein in all their actions with no oversight by higher up members of staff for a 'probationary period'?
Do they really think we are that DUMB!

[llondel]

It's quite possible that the new staff member had arrived from some other LA where this was deemed acceptable and no one at Suffolk had even considered it might happen.

However, I'm just forwarding the information as it is received. We can all make up our own minds about intent and competence.

[banshee]

do you think they would consider a little True or False test for all new employees? so maybe we can all have an oggle to see whether they passed the test (supposedly have the knowledge), and whether their actions were in line with their knowledge upon entering into the contract?

[glenngranter]

If Suffolk has three EHE departments. Wonder how many are in each department? Did telephone the number given above and ask but they cut me off after I'd asked the question.