Here’s a startling fact: mental health challenges are now the leading reason parents choose to homeschool their children. Yes, you read that right. According to the latest data from the Department for Education (DfE), more families than ever are opting for home education, and mental health concerns are at the heart of this shift. The numbers are eye-opening: in the 2024-25 school year, 175,900 children were homeschooled at some point, up from 153,300 the previous year. But here’s where it gets even more revealing—during the autumn term of 2025, one in six children (16%) cited mental health as the primary reason for their homeschooling, while 12% pointed to philosophical or personal preferences.
But this is the part most people miss: homeschooling isn’t just about mental health. Among these children, one in six (16%) also required special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, and 7% had an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). The numbers tell a story of families seeking tailored solutions for their children’s unique needs. Interestingly, the homeschooling trend saw a rise from 111,700 in autumn 2024 to 126,000 in autumn 2025, though it dipped from 137,200 in summer 2025. The DfE explains this seasonal fluctuation as some children transitioning back to traditional schools in the autumn.
But here’s the controversial part: While homeschooling numbers rise, the ‘scandal’ of children missing education entirely persists. In 2024-25, an estimated 143,500 children were absent from any form of education, only a slight decrease from 149,900 in 2023-24. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector, has called this trend a ‘scandal,’ highlighting the urgent need for systemic change. The Children’s Commissioner revealed in 2024 that a quarter of children leaving school for homeschooling had SEND—a statistic that raises questions about whether schools are failing to meet their needs.
Both Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have warned of missed opportunities to identify and support children’s additional needs early on. This begs the question: Are schools doing enough to keep vulnerable children engaged? The Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to address this by introducing stricter homeschooling regulations, requiring parents to seek local authority consent in certain cases. But is this the right approach, or does it place an unfair burden on families already struggling?
What do you think? Is homeschooling a lifeline for children with mental health and SEND needs, or does it expose deeper flaws in the education system? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation we all need to have.
