What Is Elective Home Education (EHE)?

Elective Home Education (EHE) is when a parent chooses to educate their child at home instead of sending them to school. For many families with neurodivergent children, EHE can offer a calmer, more personalised learning environment that supports emotional wellbeing, sensory needs and individual learning styles. This blog explains what EHE involves, why some families consider it, and what parents need to know before making the decision.

Key Takeaways

• Elective Home Education is a legal choice in England and Wales, allowing parents to take full responsibility for their child’s education at home.
• EHE can offer a personalised, flexible learning environment that supports autistic, ADHD, PDA, dyslexic or anxious children who may struggle in mainstream settings.
• Parents do not need to follow the National Curriculum, but they must provide an education suitable for their child’s age, ability and special educational needs.
• Local authority support varies, so families often build their own network of tutors, therapists, online resources and structured routines.
• Special interests can play a powerful role in EHE, helping neurodivergent children stay motivated, regulated and engaged in learning.

What does Elective Home Education actually involve?

Elective Home Education means parents choose to educate their child at home rather than sending them to school. It is a legal option, and families have full control over how learning is structured and delivered.

• Parents design the learning environment, choosing approaches that suit their child’s sensory, emotional and academic needs.
• Learning can be project-based, interest-led or structured using tools such as visual timetables or topic grids.
• Parents are responsible for ensuring education is suitable, even if it looks different from school-based learning.

EHE gives families the freedom to create a learning environment that feels safe, calm and responsive. For many neurodivergent children, this flexibility can reduce overwhelm and support long-term confidence. SENsational Tutors takes a more in-depth look at the culture of elective home education here 

Sasha Jackson, founder of The Home Ed Daily offers advice on her website to support parents as they consider whether to home educate their child and how to begin an EHE plan:

“For parents and carers considering Elective Home Education, I’d always suggest starting with the child in front of you, rather than an idealised idea of what home education should look like. Ask what is working, what is not, and what your child needs emotionally, socially and educationally right now. Home educating does not have to mean recreating school at home. It can be flexible, responsive and shaped around a child’s age, ability, needs and interests.”

This captures the essence of EHE: it begins with the individual child, not a fixed model. Sasha’s message highlights that home education can be shaped around a child’s needs, strengths and current wellbeing, rather than replicating school at home.
Sasha continues,

“It is still a serious parental responsibility, so it helps to read reliable guidance, talk to families already home educating, join local groups, and think honestly about the practical impact on family life. For some children, especially those struggling with anxiety, unmet needs, EBSA or school-related distress, home education can offer space to recover, reconnect and learn in a way that feels more supportive.”

Sasha presents many further insights, articles and practical resources on The Home Daily Facebook page to support families, challenge myths, and celebrate what home educated children can achieve.

Why do some SEND families consider EHE?

Many families explore EHE because school environments can feel overwhelming, unpredictable and/or insecure for their child. Autistic, ADHD or PDA children may experience sensory overload, anxiety or demand-related distress that makes school attendance difficult.

• Young people experiencing anxiety, EBSA or sensory overload often find school environments overwhelming, especially when the day feels unpredictable or high demand.
• Some children learn best when teaching is connected to their special interests – for example, an autistic boy who learned fractions through Minecraft building projects, which transformed his confidence. EHE naturally makes space for this kind of personalised, interest-led learning.
• EHE can offer families a gentler pace, reducing pressure and creating a calmer, low-demand learning rhythm that supports long-term wellbeing.

Families often choose EHE to protect wellbeing and rebuild confidence. When learning is personalised and interest-led, many neurodivergent children rediscover curiosity and enjoyment. The Department for Education reported rising figures of families opting for an elective home education programme for their child.

What support is available for families choosing EHE?

Support for EHE varies across local authorities. While guidance may be offered, parents usually build their own support network to ensure their child receives a balanced education.

Local authorities may request information about the education provided but do not supply teaching or resources.

Families often use specialist tutors, online platforms, community groups or structured routines to support learning.

BBC News London reports on why home education statistics have risen sharply in recent years in the capital

Although formal support is limited, families can create strong networks using trusted resources, specialist tutors and structured approaches. This helps ensure learning remains consistent, meaningful and emotionally safe.

What are the Local Authority’s Responsibilities if my child transfers to EHE and has an EHCP?

When a child with an EHCP moves to EHE, the Local Authority’s legal responsibilities to that child do not disappear. Even though parents do not need permission to begin home education, the LA must still make sure the support written in Section F is being delivered. This means the process may feel slightly different in comparison to EHE for children without an EHCP, and families may experience more communication and monitoring.

• The LA have an ongoing duty to secure that the delivery of Section F must continue and the child’s special educational provision is being met, even when learning happens at home.
• Many LAs request an early annual review to discuss how needs will be supported outside school and to ensure nothing in the EHCP is neglected.
• Families may be asked to show how therapies, interventions or specialist support will continue at home, and some LAs carry out more frequent reviews.

Overall, parents do not need permission to home educate a child with an EHCP, but they are likely to remain more involved with the child’s plan and progress. The Local Authority remains responsible for ensuring the child’s needs are met, so communication, reviews and support often continue after the move to EHE.

Your Next Steps Toward Confident Home Education

If you are considering Elective Home Education for your child, now is the perfect time to explore your options. At SENsational Tutors, you’ll find a team of specialist tutors who understand the emotional, sensory and academic needs of your child. We believe in nurturing confidence, building a love of learning and celebrating neurodivergent strengths. Our low demand, affirming tutoring approach helps children feel safe, regulated and ready to learn, even if school has felt overwhelming.

Your next step could be to connect with trusted professionals, gather the information you need, and begin shaping a home education approach that helps your child feel safe, regulated and ready to learn.

If you’d like to learn more about how SENsational Tutors can support your child’s EHE journey, please book a free consultation call with our experienced team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Elective Home Education?
Elective Home Education is when parents choose to educate their child at home instead of sending them to school. It allows families to create a personalised learning environment that supports sensory needs, emotional wellbeing and individual learning styles.

Do I need to follow the National Curriculum?
No. Parents do not need to follow the National Curriculum, but they must provide a suitable education. Many families use project-based learning, structured routines or interest-led approaches to ensure learning remains meaningful and appropriate.

What might the local authority ask for once we begin EHE?
Local authorities may request information to ensure your child is receiving a suitable education. They cannot dictate how you teach, but they may ask for updates or written descriptions of your learning approach.

What happens if my child has an EHCP and I want to move to Elective Home Education (EHE)?
Parents don’t need permission to start EHE, even with an EHCP. However, the Local Authority must still ensure Section F provision is being met, so they may request an early annual review and ask how support will continue at home.

Can my child return to school later?
Yes. EHE does not need to be permanent. Families can re-enrol their child in school at any time, and many children transition back once confidence and emotional safety improve.

Is EHE suitable for autistic or PDA children?
For some neurodivergent children, EHE offers a calmer, low-demand environment that reduces stress. It can be particularly helpful for children who struggle with sensory overload, anxiety or demand-related distress.

Can tutors support EHE?
Yes. Many families use specialist tutors to support academic subjects, emotional regulation, executive functioning and structured routines. Tutors can help maintain consistency and reduce pressure for children who find learning challenging.

Please note: The information provided within this blog, by SENsational Tutors, is for general information purposes only. We appreciate that every person is unique and any advice/experiences mentioned within the content of each blog may not be reflective of your own personal experience. All information on the site is provided in good faith and is for educational informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with appropriate professionals.