A review of home education recommends children be sent back to school if parents do not meet certain standards.

The government has accepted the findings of the review of elective home education in England by Graham Badman, Kent's former Director of Children’s Services.

Badman’s recommendations included that local authorities provide more support to home educating families, e.g. through helping provide access to the national examination system, sports facilities, libraries and music tuition.

A compulsory registration scheme will be administered by local councils who will visit parents intending to home educate within one month of registration.

Parents and guardians "must provide a clear statement of their educational approach, intent and desired outcomes for the child over the following twelve months", the report says. As a result, a consultation will now begin to ensure children’s rights are met and to help guarantee a good education in a safe environment.

Children’s Minister Delyth Morgan said “We’ve always been clear that parents should retain the right to educate their children at home. Most home educators do a fantastic job and I want to ensure they get more support from Local Authorities. But we can’t afford to let any child slip through the net in terms of their education, or safety”.

Around 20,000 home educated children are currently known to authorities, but estimates put the true figure at between 40,000 and 80,000 children.