Children with complex needs are being sent to unaccredited online schools at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds. Some say the placements are a “lifeline” for families whose children struggle in mainstream schools, but concerns have been raised about the lack of oversight within the growing industry.
Online school placements can be commissioned by councils for children who are unable to cope in mainstream schools, usually due to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The schools offer live and recorded lessons for individual pupils and small groups. Most children who attend are at home, but some may join from a quiet room in their mainstream school.
The government says councils should only use online schools which are accredited by a voluntary scheme set up by the Department for Education in 2023. The scheme sees providers visited by education watchdog Ofsted, which examines areas like safeguarding and staff training. So far, eight online schools have joined the scheme but others said its criteria are too restrictive, particularly for part-time providers. The government has said there are no plans to change the eligibility criteria.
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