You absolutely can home educate a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The same legal right applies under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996. But there are specific rules and exceptions you need to know — especially if your child has an EHCP.
The EHCP Exception
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan and attends a special school through arrangements made by the local authority, they cannot be removed from that school without the LA’s consent. This is set out in Section 348 of the Education Act 1996.
This applies to special schools only. If your child has an EHCP but attends a mainstream school, you can deregister normally.
What Happens to the EHCP?
When you home educate a child with an EHCP, the local authority retains its duty under Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to ensure the provision specified in the plan is met. The EHCP doesn’t disappear — it must be reviewed annually, even while the child is home educated.
You can request that the EHCP is amended to reflect home education provision. The LA should work with you to ensure appropriate support continues.
Accessing Services
Some services specified in the EHCP may still be available while home educating — speech therapy, occupational therapy, educational psychology. This varies by local authority. Discuss it with your LA’s SEND team early.
Under the Children’s Wellbeing Bill
The Bill does not prevent parents from home educating children with SEND. However, these families may be more likely to be drawn into processes around assessments, consent requirements (for children who have been involved with child protection), and home visits.
For detailed legal guidance, template letters, and your full rights, see our Complete Home Ed Startup Kit. The IPSEA website provides free legal advice specifically on SEND and education.
Common Questions About Home Education in the UK
Do I need to follow the National Curriculum?
No. Home educating families in England and Wales are not required to follow the National Curriculum, use timetables, have formal lessons, or work set hours. The legal requirement is to provide an “efficient full-time education suitable to the child’s age, ability and aptitude.” How you achieve that is entirely up to you. Many families use a mix of structured resources, interest-led learning, outdoor education, and real-world experiences.
What about socialisation?
This is the question every home educating parent gets asked. Home educated children socialise through home ed groups (most areas have active local groups that meet weekly), sports clubs, Scouts and Guides, music lessons, co-op classes, community activities, and spending time with people of all ages — not just children born in the same 12-month window. Research consistently shows that home educated children develop strong social skills and are often more confident communicating with adults.
Can I home educate if I work?
Yes, though it requires planning. Many home educating parents work part-time, freelance, or have flexible arrangements. Some families share teaching responsibilities between two parents. Others use structured online programmes during work hours and do more interactive learning in the evenings and weekends. It’s not easy, but it’s done by thousands of UK families every day.
If you’re just starting out or thinking about deregistering, our Home Education Hub has everything you need — from understanding your legal rights to practical guides on timetables that actually work. For a complete starter pack with deregistration letter templates and resource lists, see our free Home Ed Starter Checklist.
Home education is a legal right in the UK. It is not “alternative” education — it is the original form of education. Schools have only been compulsory since 1880. Your right to educate your children at home predates the state school system by centuries.
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