Northern Ireland - 5

Procedures for deregistering a child are mentioned in Section 48(3) of the Education and Libraries Northern Ireland Order 1986, although it has not been possible to trace the procedures at this time.

Parents seeking to home educate children registered at a special school, however, must obtain the consent of the Board to withdraw their child from the school. Again, there is no case law to indicate that consent has been with-held.

Home Educating Children with Special Educational Needs

The right to home educate a child with special educational needs is also given in section 45(1) of the Education and Libraries Northern Ireland Order 1986 SI 1986/594

The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

Parents of children with special educational needs do not need to have any special qualifications or training to assume direct responsibility for their children’s education. Furthermore, they do not need to inform the Board of their intention to home-educate unless the child is registered at a special school when the consent of the Board is necessary to withdraw the child from the school.