🚪 Why You Don’t Have to Let the Local Authority Into Your Home (And Why You Might Not Want To)

If you’re home educating your child, chances are you’ve already had someone from the Local Authority (LA) ask to visit your home — often framed as a “routine” check or friendly visit.

But here’s the truth many parents don’t realise: you are not legally required to allow home visits from the LA. And in many cases, it’s better that you don’t.

⚖️ What the Law Actually Says

Under UK law, local authorities have a duty to make informal enquiries if they believe a child may not be receiving a suitable education. But that’s all it is — an enquiry. You are under no legal obligation to:

• Invite them into your home
• Allow them to meet your child
• Follow any school-style learning model

You are well within your rights to respond in writing, or offer a meeting at a neutral venue if you feel comfortable doing so. It’s your choice — and saying no doesn’t make you suspicious.

🚨 The Risk of Home Visits

Welcoming an LA officer into your home might feel like the “cooperative” thing to do — but it comes with real risks.

Once inside your home, everything they see can be interpreted and reported. We’ve heard too many stories where:

• A child having a meltdown was seen as a “behavioural issue”
• A messy kitchen became a “safeguarding concern”
• A flexible or unschooling approach was mistaken for “lack of education”
• A lack of printed worksheets led to claims of “no evidence of learning”

In some cases, visits have even led to unnecessary referrals to social care — all because the official didn’t fully understand the home educating style or the child’s additional needs.

✅ What You Can Do Instead

If you receive a request for a home visit, you can politely respond with something like:

“Thank you for your interest. I’m happy to provide a written report and examples of my child’s learning. At this time, I do not consent to a home visit.”

You can include photos, samples of work, reading lists, or simply explain your educational approach. This is especially important if you’re using a method that doesn’t look like traditional school — such as unschooling, neurodiversity-led learning, or nature-based education. These approaches are valid, even if they’re not always understood by education officers.

💬 Final Thoughts

You know your child best. You are their advocate, their voice, and their protector. You are also their educator — and that gives you rights.

If you’re unsure how to respond to the LA, or need a template letter to decline a home visit, AskEllie.co.uk has resources and guidance to help. You don’t have to do this alone.

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📍Need help?
Start a free, private chat with Ellie — your SEND & EHCP legal assistant — at www.askellie.co.uk