Powys councillors urged to look into home schooling rise
Powys County Councillors brought up the issue as part of a broader discussion on a report following an assurance review into children's social services.
The review had been conducted into children's services earlier this year.
The work was commissioned by the council's chief executive Emma Palmer and was carried out by Stephen Walker the director of relational children's social work services at Leeds City Council.
He was also the head of children's services at Swansea City Council between 2008 and 2011.
Committee chairwoman, Cllr Amanda Jenner (Trelystan and Trewern, Conservative) pointed out that a part of the report said that one of the 'challenges' faced by Powys social workers since the Covid-19 pandemic is the increasing number of families who are home educating their children.
At a Health and Care scrutiny committee meeting held on July 30, Cllr Jenner asked: 'I wonder from what you have seen elsewhere and from your perspective why this poses a challenge to children's services?'
Mr Walker said that from a social work point of view it's 'not about' the right or wrong of children being educated at home, but whether children's services are in a position to provide help if needed.
Mr Walker said: 'There are national issues because we have no right to access as children's services to see children being educated at home.'
He went on to consider the broader issues.
The expert in children's social care said that in 'some cases' parents believe they are able to 'better meet and understand' their child's needs and provide that support.
'If they need anything from children's services they will come to you, and that's absolutely fine,' Mr Walker said.
He said other parents may have been 'persuaded' to take their child out of school because of difficult behaviour. This could be because they are 'reducing the overall achievement' of a class or school.
Mr Walker added that educating them at home 'is better' than for the child to be excluded which would go on their official school record.
'Sometimes parents don't understand the effect of children not being around other children or seen in school," he continued.
Cllr Jenner said: 'I think this is something we need to think about and potentially pick up with the education scrutiny committee as this ties in with the fact that school attendance since Covid -19 is a lot lower.
The figures for elective home educated children in Powys is monitored regularly in reports produced by the corporate safeguarding board.
Figures reported by the board in June show that 409 children and young people are being home schooled in the county.
This figure has risen from June 2023 when the board would only say that the figure was 'more than' 300.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mum dies just days after returning from holiday, and her family have no idea why
Mum Mandy Cugini, 47, became ill and could not be resuscitated, with her husband David saying the family are devastated and still do not know why she died A family says they do not know what has caused the death of a "one in a million" mum who died less than a week after returning from a holiday in Tunisia. Amanda 'Mandy' Cugini, 47, from Ely, Cardiff, became unwell and her husband David tried to resuscitate her but without success. She died on July 22 this year. David has told how she was an "amazing" mum with two daughters aged 17 and 10, and a 34-year-old stepdaughter. She was also a beloved nan to two grandsons and her family does not currently know what caused Amanda's death. "It's kind of a cliché but she was one in a million," David said. "She reached out and touched more people that I'm ever going to know. I was with Amanda for 18 years and I knew Amanda for 10 years before that as friends, so I've known her a long time and I'm still now getting to hear and meet new people for the first time, who she'd have touched in her life." It comes after reports a comatose woman woke before organ harvesting surgery but 'docs operated anyway'. David told WalesOnline: "She was an amazing mum, she was an amazing nan to my two grandsons. She was the life and soul of the party. She lit up the room when she walked in. It's the same stuff as what other people say, but not in Mandy's way. Mandy was different, she was special." Amanda worked at a local child care nursery and was just about to be fully qualified as a day care nurse. David said their family had seen hardships, with Amanda losing her parents, as well as the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis, but that she always strove to help others. "Life has been hard, but someone like Mandy, I always say she would have found a pound and made sure that you either had it all or you'd certainly have half, because she was just a giver," he said. He told how Amanda's loss has left a significant impact on her family, particularly her children. "To be honest, it's very, very hard," David said. "So confusing, upsetting and everything, all rolled into one. There are late nights where we sit in with the children and just comfort them because they're missing mum so much." The family has tried to return to normalcy, playing music and singing like they used to do, but he said their grief comes and goes. "One minute we're all laughing, thinking over 'imagine what mum would have said' and then next minute we're all hysterical, emotionally devastated, and crying," he said. David is thankful to the community, his family and his friends for their support. "I've been overwhelmed, to be honest, with the outpouring of love and support," he said. "The children are the closest to me, so we've got each other first, and then it's a reflection on the friends, family and everybody. "Even strangers are showing love and support because it's such a devastating thing for such a beautiful lady at such a young age. It's been very quick, sudden, very shocking." Since Amanda's death friends, family, and David's local community have been helping the family by sharing food and donating money towards Amanda's funeral, for which David has expressed his immense gratitude.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I do a line of cocaine before I go to work - my kids don't know about my drug shame'
Resident agony aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for a reader who says she can't get through the day without drinking alcohol and doing a line of coke all before going to work I watched the YouTube video with your son, talking about his recovery from drugs, and felt I had to contact you. I'm soon to turn 50 and struggling. I've always had drink and drug issues but they used to be a weekend binge thing. I have two wonderful children aged 25 and 30 and I'm single now. I was in an abusive relationship, then I met a man I thought was my true love. But I found out he was doing crack and he was jailed for robbery. This was 10 years ago. Still, I was doing well and started a house cleaning business. Then I started drinking too much during Covid and last year I admitted to my daughter I thought I was an alcoholic. My son took me to AA, but I hated the meetings. Now I find myself drinking from the minute I wake up and doing a line of cocaine just to get myself to work. I don't want to tell my children, as they think I'm better. I'm turning 50 this month and going away with all my family, but I'm drowning in debt, beer and coke. Coleen says Acknowledging you have a problem is the first step to recovery and the next is to ask for professional help. Go to your GP and be honest about what you're taking and find out what the options are. There is help other than the 12-step AA programme, such as which uses CBT and motivational techniques. Just because one approach didn't work for you, doesn't mean another won't. What you mustn't do is go cold turkey, because it can be dangerous. You need expert guidance on withdrawing from alcohol. It's very tough if you're addicted to alcohol because it's so readily available and is part of the culture of people's lives. It takes strength to deal with that. As for your kids, you know you have to be transparent with them. You're not asking them to fix your problem – they can't. But honesty is important and you won't be letting them down by admitting you're still struggling. If they know the truth, they can support you. Also, they might already suspect, but are waiting for you to acknowledge it. Recovery is hard and scary, but you can do it if you're honest with yourself and reach out to the right people.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
New virus outbreak in China
The risk of the chikungunya virus spreading to the EU has been classed as 'high' by the ECDC 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There is an outbreak of the chikungunya virus in China. People travelling to the area have been advised to 'practice enhanced precautions' by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). In Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has classed the risk of the virus spreading to the EU as 'high'. China is grappling with a new outbreak, with travellers to the area being advised to 'practice enhanced precautions'. The chikungunya virus has been spreading in Guangdong Province, China, with most cases reported in Foshan city, according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The chikungunya virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Local authorities in China have been seen spraying disinfectant throughout the streets, in scenes that are similar to those from the days of Covid. So, what is the chikungunya virus, how bad is the outbreak, and should we be worried about it coming to the UK? Here's everything you need to know. The risk of the chikungunya virus spreading to the EU has been classed as 'high' by the ECDC. | Photo by AKILA JAYAWARDENA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images What is the chikungunya virus? Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes to humans when they are bitten. The virus is found in more than 100 countries in Africa, Asia, North, South, and Central America, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands. The infection is not common in Europe, but has been found in Italy in France. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the symptoms of the chikungunya virus? Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin four to eight days after being bitten by a mosquito. They start with a high temperature accompanied by intense joint pains. With additional symptoms including a rash, headache, feeling tired (fatigued), feeling sick (nausea), and muscle pains. Serious complications are not common, with people usually feeling better after a few days or a week. However, some people may experience ongoing joint pain for weeks or longer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is no specific treatment for chikungunya virus infection; however, there are two chikungunya vaccines that have recently been approved for use in the UK. How bad is the outbreak in China? There is a chikungunya virus outbreak in Guangdong Province, China, with most cases reported in Foshan city. The outbreak has been classed as a level two by the CDC, with those in the area advised to 'practice enhanced precautions', such as protecting themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and staying in accommodation that has screens or air conditioning. Travellers are advised to get vaccinated against chikungunya, whilst those who are pregnant should reconsider travelling to the area as there can be severe risks for mothers and newborn babies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Could the chikungunya virus infection spread to the UK? There is no risk of catching the chikungunya virus infection in the UK. Reacting to the outbreak, Dr Robert Jones, Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), told Science Media Centre: 'There is no risk of contracting chikungunya in the UK at present. 'The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya are not established in the UK, although they are found in parts of southern Europe. Occasionally, imported cases are diagnosed in returning travellers, but these do not lead to local transmission.' In Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has classified the risk of the chikungunya virus spreading in the EU as 'high', due to the risk of imported cases through infected travellers and the presence of mosquitoes in countries around the Mediterranean coast. You can find out more information about the chikungunya virus infection and vaccines that are available at NHS Fit For Travel.
