HELPING CHILDREN WITH HOME EDUCATION: HOW HOME EDUCATION CAN ENABLE GOOD EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE

Abstract

Children who experience maltreatment in their families may be placed in out-of-home care. A large, and increasing, number of children are being raised in these settings in Australia. The history of maltreatment that children in out-of-home care have experienced results in a variety of educational challenges. It is generally believed that schools are best placed to serve the educational needs of these children. However, there is extensive evidence that schools are unable to facilitate learning success for many children in out-of-home care. This paper argues that because home education can provide a low- stress environment and individually tailored learning, it can be an effective method of education for children and young people in out-of-home care. A case study of a home-educated child in out-of-home care is presented.

Keywords

• complex trauma
• out-of-home care
• home education
• home schooling