On paper, elective home education looks like a choice — but for many families, it’s anything but. In this episode, we dig into the reasons why increasing numbers of parents are turning to home education: school anxiety, unmet SEND needs, safeguarding concerns, and disillusionment with the system itself. Through real stories and honest reflection, we explore what this trend reveals about schools, support services, and the pressures families face.

* Why more families are opting for elective home education

* The difference between genuine choice and forced necessity

* The role of SEND provision, attendance, and mental health in driving decisions

* How schools and policymakers should respond with compassion and clarity

* What this shift means for the future of mainstream education

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