Member

Finally in this group, Amendment 468, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, seeks to require the Secretary of State, if requested, to declare that an alternative system of education, when carefully followed, is expected to constitute a system of suitable education for most children. As we have already discussed at length in Committee, the law is clear that parents already have the option to educate their child otherwise than at school, but that education needs to be suitable to the age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs that the individual child may have. There are no formal criteria in legislation for suitable education beyond this, because each individual assessment must rest on a balance of factors for each child. Identifying whether education is suitable sits best with local authorities, which can make inquiries as to the education of individual children. Amendment 468 would cut across that principle. It would remove the personalised approach that is inherent in the current system. For that reason, I hope the noble Lord will not press his amendment.