Home Schooling Consultative Group meeting – 8 December 2021

1a. Publication of revised Guidelines

Members were advised that the revised Guidelines for Home Schooling Registration in NSW have been approved and will be published on the NESA website shortly.
Members will be notified when the revised Guidelines are published. This will also be communicated by email to parents of registered children and key stakeholders.
Action arising: NESA to publish the revised Guidelines on its website and inform members, parents of registered children and key stakeholders when published.

1b. NESA syllabus updates

The Chair acknowledged that a meeting with representatives of the NESA Curriculum reform team had taken place with available HSCG members in October 2021 and that there will be further opportunities for members to participate in consultation events.
Parents of registered children can provide feedback via the public consultation opportunities that are published on the NESA website.
Action arising: Nil

1c. National and state home schooling meetings

Members were advised that a national forum for home education did not occur in 2021.
Action arising: Nil

None declared
Action arising: Nil

Members were advised that as the term of membership for five members is due to end in January 2022, NESA will undertake an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to fill the vacant positions. The EOI will be published on the NESA website and emailed to parents of registered children.

The Chair thanked the outgoing members for their time, advice and commitment to the HSCG and home schooling.

The Chair agreed to conduct individual meetings with outgoing members.

Action arising: Meetings between the CEO and outgoing members to be arranged for 2022. NESA to commence the EOI process for new membership.

4a. Update on the development of the online system

Members were provided with an update on the development of the online system, which will provide an online platform to submit applications for home schooling registration.

The online platform will be rolled out in a staged process and will be optional. The plan is for all parents of registered children to be notified of the online application option, and a link to the system to be provided at the time of renewal of registration. In time, a link will be available on the website for new applicants.

4b. Court order statement on application forms

Members were advised that NESA intends to add a clarifying statement on the application forms in relation to court orders.

The statement will advise applicants that if a court order for equal shared parental responsibility is in effect, the applicant may wish to seek legal advice regarding the interaction of that order with the application for home schooling registration. The statement will also advise that if such an order is in effect and the applicant informs NESA that both parents of the child do not consent to the application, NESA will recommend that the application be refused.

HSCG members were advised that the statement is not a change to NESA’s process. Rather it clarifies NESA’s current process for applicants.

One member sought clarification as to how schools manage such court orders when it comes to school enrolments. The Chair agreed to seek a response from the NSW Department of Education.

Action arising: NESA to seek a response from the NSW Department of Education regarding how schools manage enrolments for children who are subject to court orders providing for equal shared parental responsibility.

5a. Authorised Persons briefings

Members were advised that NESA conducts briefing sessions for Authorised Persons three times a year. Agenda items include a wide range of topics that support the work and professional learning of Authorised Persons. HSCG members are welcome to make suggestions for agenda items for future briefing sessions.
Action arising: Members to suggest agenda items for future Authorised Person briefing sessions, if they wish.

5b. National and state home schooling meetings

This question was addressed earlier in the meeting (1c).
Action arising: Nil

5c. Changes in the home schooling population and how NESA and the NSW Department of Education support new applicants

The Chair confirmed that NESA continues to receive many applications from parents wishing to home school their children, including a large number from new applicants.

The Guidelines for Home Schooling Registration in NSW as well as information and support materials on the NESA website provide applicants with the information they need to apply to register their child for home schooling. NESA staff respond to enquiries regarding registration requirements via telephone and email, and Authorised Persons discuss with applicants their ‘readiness’ to undertake the assessment, including whether they have read the Guidelines and have an educational program prepared.

NESA is unaware of how the NSW Department of Education responds to parents wishing to home school their children but will seek a formal response to this question.
Action arising: NESA to seek a response from the NSW Department of Education regarding how they respond to parents wishing to home school their children.

An update on the number of applications received to date in 2021 was provided. It was noted that the most recent data again reflects an increase in the number of children registered for home schooling.
Action arising: Nil

7a. Role of the HSCG

A member requested that NESA consider how they can better utilise the experience of HSCG members and more actively seek their views.
Action arising: NESA to consider the addition of agenda items for future meetings, to seek the views of HSCG members.

7b. Meeting dates 2022 and self-assessment questionnaire

Members were advised that proposed meeting dates for 2022, as well as the HSCG self-assessment questionnaire will be emailed to all members.
Action arising: NESA to email proposed meeting dates for 2022 as well as the HSCG self-assessment questionnaire for 2021.

7c. Thanks to all for involvement in HSCG 2021

The Chair thanked the members for their involvement and commitment to the HSCG during 2021. Members also expressed thanks to the group and to the Chair and NESA staff for the meetings.
Action arising: Nil