Homeschool Notice of Intent: How to Notify Your Local Authority in the UK

If you've decided to withdraw your child from school and educate them at home, one of the first practical questions is what you're legally required to tell the authorities — and what you're not. The answer depends significantly on which part of the UK you live in, and it's quite different from the American "Notice of Intent" system that many online guides describe.

Here's what the law actually requires across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

England: Deregistration Letter, Not a Formal Notice of Intent

In England, if your child is currently enrolled at a registered school, you must write directly to the school — not to the Local Authority — to formally withdraw them. This letter is called a deregistration request. Once the school receives it, they are legally required to remove your child from the register and notify the Local Authority.

You do not need the school's permission to deregister. You do not need to give a reason. You do not need to wait for a response before beginning home education. The deregistration is effective from the date the school receives your letter.

A simple deregistration letter includes: your child's full name, date of birth, and year group; the date from which you wish to deregister them; a clear statement that you will be providing elective home education; and your contact details. Keep a copy and send it in a way that creates a delivery record (recorded post, or a scanned copy of an email confirmation).

One important exception: if your child attends a registered special school, you cannot simply deregister by letter. You must obtain the Local Authority's consent before withdrawing your child, as per Section 7 of the Education Act 1996. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and is in a specialist placement, this process requires direct engagement with your LA's SEND team.

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (England, 2025–2026)

As of late 2025, the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is progressing through Parliament and fundamentally changes the notification landscape in England. Once enacted, parents will be legally required to register their home-educated child on a compulsory national register maintained by the Local Authority. You will need to provide the child's name, address, and details of all educational providers, and update this registration every three months if arrangements change.

Secondary legislation implementing the new registration requirements is not expected to take effect until late 2026. Until the legislation is fully enacted, the existing position — deregister from school, no obligation to notify the LA proactively — remains the law. Watch for updates from Education Otherwise and the HEFA UK Facebook group, both of which monitor legislative developments and publish guidance promptly when requirements change.

Wales: School Deregistration Plus LA Notification

In Wales, the process begins the same way — a deregistration letter to the school. However, the Welsh Government's statutory guidance (currently under review following the 2023 Curriculum for Wales implementation) encourages closer LA involvement than England currently requires. Upcoming amendments via Clause 31 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill as applied to Wales are expected to expand mandatory database requirements.

Practically speaking, many Welsh LAs already operate informal notification systems and will make contact with you after receiving notification from the school. Engaging cooperatively with your local authority from the outset — while being clear about your legal rights — is generally the most effective approach in Wales.

Home education in Wales must align with the ethos of the Cwricwlwm i Gymru (Curriculum for Wales), which places a statutory emphasis on holistic well-being and bilingualism. If your child is being educated in Welsh or in a bilingual household, documenting this as part of your educational provision is advisable.

Scotland: Formal Consent Required

Scotland has a meaningfully different legal framework. Under Section 35 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, if your child is enrolled at a Scottish public school, you must apply in writing to the Local Authority for consent to withdraw them and educate at home. This is not a notification — it is a formal application, and the LA has a legal obligation to respond.

LAs in Scotland are instructed that they must not unreasonably withhold consent. In practice, consent is granted in the vast majority of straightforward cases. However, the LA is required to investigate whether the child is subject to any child protection plans, social work referrals, or health concerns before approving the withdrawal. The process typically takes two to four weeks.

Your application should clearly state that you intend to provide education that satisfies your child's needs, and ideally should include a brief outline of your proposed approach. The Education (Scotland) Act 2025 continues to emphasise the Curriculum for Excellence framework, and framing your provision in those terms — even if you don't intend to follow it strictly — tends to accelerate approval.

If your child has never been enrolled in a Scottish public school (educated at home from the outset), there is no application requirement. However, the LA retains a duty to make enquiries if it becomes aware that a child of school age may not be receiving suitable education.

Northern Ireland: The Simplest Process in the UK

Northern Ireland has the most permissive home education framework in the UK. Under the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, parents simply provide a signed and dated letter of deregistration to the principal of the school. The school then forwards a standard attendance form and your letter to the Education Authority (EA) and the Education Welfare Service.

There is no mandatory registration, no national database (as of 2026), and no requirement to follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum. The EA has a statutory duty to enquire if it has reason to believe a child is not receiving a suitable education, but maintaining a cooperative, open relationship with the EA is generally sufficient to satisfy this obligation.

After You've Notified: What Happens Next

In England, expect contact from your LA's Elective Home Education officer within six to eight weeks of the school notifying them of your child's deregistration. This is typically an informal enquiry rather than a formal inspection — the officer will want to understand your approach and may request a home visit or a meeting.

You are not legally obliged to allow a home visit or to provide evidence on demand. Education Otherwise (educationotherwise.org) and the Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS) both provide detailed guidance on your rights during LA interactions. The key principle in England is that your education provision must be "efficient, full-time, and suitable to the child's age, ability, and aptitude," but you are under no obligation to replicate school-type structures or meet any specific timetable.

Documenting your home education from day one — keeping a record of activities, outings, reading, co-op sessions, and social interactions — is highly advisable as preparation for any LA enquiry. This documentation also helps you see, objectively, just how rich your child's education is becoming.

For a complete framework covering the social and extracurricular dimension of UK home education — including how to document your child's community life to satisfy LA requirements, plus activity directories, weekly schedule templates, and co-op guides — the UK Socialization & Extracurricular Playbook is a practical starting point.

See more United Kingdom homeschool guides →