This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.
Has the local authority outsourced all or any part of its duties and responsibilities in relation to Elective Home Education to third party organisations in the years (from 1st January to 31st December) 2016, 2017 and to the date of this FOI? Please specify in which years EHE services have been/are outsourced.
Yes Devon County Council has outsourced their duties in the years 2016, 2017, 2018
If yes, please answer the following:
Which roles and responsibilities were or are currently outsourced?
The responsibility to maintain accurate records of children registered as Electively home educated and to offer advice, guidance and support to families. Babcock LDP also have a duty to raise concerns with the Local Authority if they believe that appropriate education is not being provided. Thus enabling the Local Authority to fulfil their statutory duty under section 436A of the Education Act 1996, inserted by the Education and Inspections Act 2006, to make arrangements to enable them to establish the identities, so far as it is possible to do so, of children in their area who are not receiving a suitable education.
Which third party organisation/s held or currently hold contracts with the local authority?
Babcock LDP – Babcock is Joint Venture company with Devon County Council
When do the existing contract/s expire?
31st March 2022
How much has the local authority paid for these services for each year specified?
£144,000 per year
Please provide copies of any information, instructions, directives etc. supplied by the local authority to any outsourced organisation in support of fulfilling their roles/responsibilities as contracted, redacted if required as per s40.
Information on Babcock LDP Elective Home Education can be found on the following link https://www.babcockldp.co.uk/safeguarding-and-compliance/elective-home-education
Directives can be seen on the following link: