Measures to tighten up home schooling laws in England are on the horizon following the tragic murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif by her father and stepmother. The children’s wellbeing and schools bill, set to be introduced before parliament on Tuesday, aims to address gaps in the current system to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Tragedy Strikes
Sara Sharif was found dead in her bunk bed at the family home in Surrey on 10 August 2023, just four months after being withdrawn from school to be educated at home. This decision came despite social services referrals following concerns raised by teachers about bruises on Sara’s face. Last week, her father, Urfan Sharif, her stepmother, Beinash Batool, and her uncle, Faisal Malik, were found guilty in connection to her death.
Strengthening Regulations
Under the proposed legislation, parents seeking to educate their children at home will face increased scrutiny, with the removal of the automatic right to do so if the child is the subject of a child protection investigation or plan. Additionally, local councils will have new powers to intervene if a child’s home environment is deemed unsuitable or unsafe.
Expert Approval
Children’s commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, praised the bill, emphasizing the urgency with which it is being introduced. She highlighted the potential impact on neglected children whose needs have been overlooked by existing services.
Looking Ahead
In addition to tightening home schooling regulations, the bill will also introduce a unique identifier number for children across services to streamline data sharing and enhance child protection efforts. Furthermore, changes to the academies program will provide local authorities more flexibility in managing failing schools.
Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, expressed the government’s commitment to prioritizing child protection, stating, “This bill will be a seminal moment for child protection. No more words, no more lessons learned. This government will put children first at every turn.”
In the wake of Sara’s tragic death, these proposed changes aim to create a safer environment for all children and ensure that no child falls through the cracks of the education system.
