Scottish Parliament

Petitions, PQs, Motions & Official Record

Here we have listed, in reverse chronological order, Scottish Parliamentary business concerning elective home education, including Petitions, Questions & Written Answers, Motions, and links to the Official Record. 

Scottish Parliament Petitions

Date Lodged: 13 June 2018

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to initiate an independent public inquiry into the impact on human rights of the routine gathering and sharing of citizens’ personal information on which its Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) policy relies. 

 

A joint petition, submitted by the Scottish Home Education Forum and Tymes Trust (following their Families from the Fringe ‘alternative’ evidence gathering and consultation event on the Scottish Government’s information-sharing bill, now withdrawn) has been referred to the Education & Skills Committee for consideration.

Read the latest news on our petition here  (updated May 2022).

Date Lodged: 20 August 2019

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to conduct an urgent review to identify children who are not registered with an Education Authority in Scotland and are being denied a basic human right to access an education suitable to age, ability and aptitude.

We opposed this petition. Read our critique and submission to the committee here.

This petition was closed on 8 October 2020:

The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government is preparing a revised version of the statutory guidance on home guidance, and will be engaging with stakeholders as part of this process. Link to Official Report of Meeting 8 October 2020

Scottish Parliamentary Questions

Scottish Parliamentary Motions 

Official Record

What about the recently published draft guidance on home education, which was issued without proper account being taken of the views of the parents and children whom it would affect most? That seriously damaged relationships between families and local authorities. The document seeks to condone unlawful breaches of data protection and human rights legislation and has caused nothing but alarm in the home education community, prompting calls for it to be withdrawn forthwith. The Executive promised those who believe in home education a new future, but what are being delivered are the foundations of a police state.

Proposed Member’s Bill