Home tuition and home based programmes

Home education that you choose to make is different from home tuition provided by the local authority when a child is unable to attend school, generally because they are injured or ill. The guidance on home tuition for children with medical needs says that children should receive a minimum of five hours teaching a week by the 15th day of absence. Excluded children, particularly those of primary age, may also receive home tuition until a new school is found.

Home based programmes

There are a number of schemes and programmes which parents or professionals may use in a child’s home. While there is a lot of overlap, the best known programmes are listed below:

Children from birth to school age may receive help at home from the Portage Service. Portage home visitors, who may have an education or health background, provide a programme of activities for parents to help their child focusing on areas where the child needs to boost their development.

Many local authorities now set up multi-disciplinary teams made up of professionals from health, education and care to support parents when their young child has first been diagnosed. Arrangements vary from authority to authority but may include programmes such as the National Austistic Society’s Early Bird scheme for parents to use at home backed up by training and visits from specialist staff.

ABA Home Programmes

An increasing number of families are chosing to undertake ABA home programmes, typically commencing the programme during the pre-school years, as research indicates the effectiveness of early intervention (1).

Peach is a UK parent-led charity established to promote Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism. Visit the Peach website for further information and support.

Footnotes 

(1) Remington, R.E., Hastings, R.P., Kovshoff, H. (2007). A field effective study of Early Intensive Behavioural Interventions. Outcomes for children with autism and their parents after two years. Download final report