Graham Stuart MP, Chairman of the Education Select Committee has challenged Thurrock Council's policies towards elective home education and reported it to the Government. He said, "The Content of Thurrock Council's "Process for Elective Home Education misrepresent the duties and powers in relation to home education consistently and fail to give constructive support to parents".
He criticises the council for inferring that home education must be in some way sanctioned by the council and that parents may find themselves referred to social services. He has demanded that Thurrock Council instructs its officers to alter work practices and has submitted the complaint to the Minister.
Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price said,
"I suspect that the intentions behind this are to encourage the educating of children in schools. That is quite reasonable but does not excuse what is a bullying approach to parents who wish to educate their children at home. With 1 in 5 parents in Thurrock not getting their preferred schoolplace for their child some do consider home educating. Instead of applying this dictatorial heavy handed approach, the Council should be working more proactively with parents to given them access to the kind of education they want for their children. I am pleased to have supported the creation of three new schools in Thurrock to expand parental choice. This is a far more effective way of getting children into schools than the 'take what you are given' attitude displayed by the council."