Tallybook

Guide · For parents

Find your council's elective home education team

Search your council's website for "elective home education". Almost every council in England has a page with a named team or officer. Government guidance says each council should give home-educating parents a named contact.

Last checked 10 November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Which council is yours?

Education is run by the upper-tier council. That is your county council, unitary authority, metropolitan borough or London borough. A district or parish council is not the right one.

If you are unsure, enter your postcode in the "find your local council" tool on GOV.UK.

Where to look

  • the council website, under schools or education
  • a search for "elective home education" plus the council's name
  • the council's main switchboard, asking for the EHE team

The team may sit within school attendance, inclusion or children missing education. The name varies.

What the team does

  • records children it knows to be home educated
  • makes enquiries about whether the education is suitable, usually once a year
  • answers parents' questions
  • in some areas, offers extras such as exam information or meet-ups

Support beyond the basics is at each council's discretion today.

What to ask

  • Who is my named contact?
  • How and how often will you get in touch?
  • Do you have your own home education policy, and where is it published?
  • Do you offer any help with exam access?
  • What will change for us when the register starts?

Put it in writing

Phone calls are useful for a quick answer. For anything that matters, follow up by email so you have a record.

Once the register starts

This team will almost certainly run the register. Under the 2026 Act, a council must give advice and information about a registered child's education if a parent asks. In England it must also offer parents a forum twice a year.

If you teach in more than one area

Providers may deal with several councils. A council can ask a provider about any child living in England or Wales, not only those in its own area.

Outside England

  • Wales: your local authority has a home education contact.
  • Scotland: your council's education department handles home education.
  • Northern Ireland: the Education Authority has a single EHE team for the whole of Northern Ireland.

Sources