Tutoring a home-educated child: the paperwork a tutor needs
When a child is home educated, the parent stays responsible for their education and a tutor supports it. GOV.UK says parents in England must make sure a child gets a full-time education from the age of 5 without having to follow the national curriculum. Agree in writing what you will cover, how you will report and who does what.
Who is responsible when a child is home educated
GOV.UK's guidance on home education in England says that you must make sure your child receives a full-time education from the age of 5, but that you do not have to follow the national curriculum. The responsibility stays with the parent, even when a tutor teaches part of the week.
That shapes your paperwork. A tutor supports a parent's plan, and does not replace it. Your agreement should say that the parent decides the overall programme and that you teach the agreed subjects. The same guidance says the council can make an informal enquiry to check a child is getting a suitable education at home, so a parent may later want to show what you covered.
This applies to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules and guidance. The Welsh Government publishes elective home education guidance, and the English guidance for parents is on GOV.UK. Check the guidance for the nation where the family lives.
What to agree with the parent before lesson one
Home-educating families vary a great deal, from structured timetables to flexible learning. Ask rather than assume, and write down the answers:
- The subjects and level you will teach, and the goal, such as an exam, a skill or catching up.
- Which curriculum or exam board the family is following, if any.
- Who is responsible for exam entry, which is usually the parent. Agree it in writing.
- How often you will meet, for how long, and where.
- What reports or samples of work the parent wants from you.
- What the parent does between lessons, such as supervising homework.
Daytime lessons and who is in the house
Home-educated children are often taught in school hours, which means lessons at the family home during the day, or online. Safeguarding and clarity matter in both settings.
A sensible practice, which is our suggestion and not a legal rule, is to agree who will be in the house during a home visit and where the lesson will take place. For online lessons, agree whether a parent will be nearby and whether lessons will be recorded. Our post on safeguarding basics for private tutors covers what to put in writing.
Group and shared lessons
Home-educating families sometimes join forces and ask for a shared lesson with several children. If you teach more than one family at once, you need terms that cover each family separately, including fees, cancellations and who can see each child's information. A single agreement with several families can be confusing, so many tutors sign one with each.
Keep a simple record of what you taught
A parent who home educates may be asked to show what a child has been learning. A short note after each lesson, or a termly summary, costs little and helps them. Do not claim to be assessing the child against a curriculum unless that is what you have agreed to do, and keep the child's information secure and shared only with the family.
What a home education tutoring sheet should capture
A preview of our free Home Education Tutoring Arrangement Sheet. The complete, print-ready version is sent to you by email.
Pupil and parent
- Pupil name
- Pupil age or year group
- + 3 more in the full form
What the tutor will teach
- Subjects and level
- Goal for the lessonsFree text
- + 3 more in the full form
Where and when
- Lessons will take placeAt the family home · At the tutor's home · Online · Elsewhere
- Day, time and length of each lesson
- + 3 more in the full form
Reports and records
- Reports or work samples the parent would likeFree text
- How often the tutor will send an update
- + 1 more in the full form
Agreement
- Fees and payment terms are set out in the tutor's agreementYes / No
- Agreement to cancellation and notice termsYes / No
- + 1 more in the full form
The full form has 21 questions in 5 sections, a signed declaration and space for your business details. Get it free below.
Free template
Get the print-ready Home Education Tutoring Arrangement Sheet
A one-page sheet for the parent and tutor to complete before lesson one, print-ready, with space for subjects, goals, reports and who does what. Free, and yours to adapt.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for a home-educated child's education?
In England, GOV.UK says parents must make sure a child receives a full-time education from the age of 5. A tutor supports the parent's plan. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check the guidance for the family's nation.
Do I need a different tutoring contract for home-educated pupils?
Not necessarily a different contract, but add clear terms about subjects, who is responsible for the overall plan, exam entry, reports and the setting. A short arrangement sheet alongside your standard agreement does this well.
Can I teach home-educated children during school hours?
Home-educated children are not attending school, so daytime lessons are common. Agree where the lesson takes place, who is in the house and, for online lessons, whether a parent will be nearby.
Should I write reports for the parent?
Ask what the parent wants and agree it in advance. A short note after lessons or a termly summary is usual. Do not describe it as an official assessment unless you have agreed to provide one.
Sources
- Home education, GOV.UK
- Elective home education, GOV.UK
- Elective home education, Welsh Government
Every document your tutoring business needs
Client agreement, cancellation policy, privacy notice and parental consent in the Starter pack at £29. The Pro pack at £49 adds safeguarding, online terms, group and exam prep paperwork. One payment, no subscription.
See the packs, from £29 →These articles are general guidance for UK private tutors, not legal advice. Our documents are editable templates: adapt them to your own tuition, check your insurer's requirements and take advice where the stakes are high.