If you are home educating, it is useful to know which council covers your area. You may be wondering how many local education authorities there are in England, and whether the number affects what you need to do. The short answer is 153 local authorities with education responsibilities. Here is what that means for your family, and how to find the right council.
How many local education authorities are there in England?
There are 153 local authorities in England responsible for education matters. You will often see them called Local Authorities, or LAs, in home education guidance. “Local education authority” is a familiar term, but the modern wording in government material is usually “local authority”.
These authorities include different types of councils, such as county councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan borough councils and London borough councils. The exact council structure depends on where you live. Some places have one council covering local services; elsewhere, responsibilities are shared between county and district councils. Education responsibilities sit with the relevant education authority, not necessarily the council you contact about every other local service.
How to find your Local Authority
Use the GOV.UK council finder and enter your postcode. Check the council’s own website for its elective home education (EHE) contact details or team. If you are unsure which council is responsible, ask the council to confirm. Keep a note of the team’s name and the date of any contact.
If you are weighing up your rights and responsibilities, this guide to understanding home education and the law is a useful starting point. In England, section 7 of the Education Act 1996 places the duty on parents to make sure their child receives an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs. You do not need the LA’s approval to educate your child at home, and the National Curriculum is not compulsory.
What does the LA do for home-educated children?
The LA has a duty under section 436A of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to identify children in its area who do not appear to be receiving a suitable education. This does not mean that it approves, inspects or signs off your home education. It may make informal enquiries to understand whether suitable education is taking place.
You are not required to accept a home visit or to respond to informal enquiries. However, if you provide no information, the authority may conclude that it cannot see that the education appears suitable. Many families choose to give a clear written account of what their child is learning and how their education is being provided. DfE guidance says parents are under no legal obligation to produce specific evidence, such as samples of work. Any photos or examples you keep are for your own family records.
For practical help with what an LA may ask and ways to prepare a written account, see guidance on Local Authority reports and contact. Flybrite can help you turn everyday learning into a tidy, LA-ready record in minutes, while keeping control of your information with you. Find out how Flybrite works.
Does every council handle enquiries in the same way?
No. Councils may have different teams, forms and ways of making contact. Their approaches can also vary over time. A local policy does not change the law, so read it as information about that council’s process rather than a set of extra legal requirements.
Keep your own notes of conversations and letters. If you receive a request that feels unclear, you can ask what information the council is seeking and why. You can also take time to consider your reply. A calm, factual written account can explain your child’s education without needing to follow a particular timetable or use a formal curriculum.
What this means for your home education
The number 153 can sound like a lot, but you only need to deal with the authority responsible for your address. It does not mean there is one national system that every family must follow. Families build education around their child’s interests, needs and circumstances. Some use structured plans or curriculum resources; others draw on projects, everyday experiences, libraries and museums. There is no requirement to choose a named approach.
When planning feels helpful, curriculum resources are one option, not a legal requirement. You might also find ideas in this guide to different home education approaches. If you are just beginning, take it one step at a time and read practical guidance on getting started.
Remember that education law differs across the UK. The information here is about England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, so check the rules for your nation if you live outside England.
Frequently asked questions
Are there 153 local education authorities in England?
There are 153 local authorities in England with education responsibilities. The term “local education authority” is still commonly used, but official guidance generally says “Local Authority”.
How do I find my local authority for elective home education?
Enter your postcode in the GOV.UK council finder, then look on the relevant council website for its elective home education team or contact details.
Do I need permission from my LA for home education in England?
No. Parents do not need LA approval to home educate in England. The legal duty to secure a suitable education rests with the parent under section 7 of the Education Act 1996.
Can an LA insist on a home visit or samples of work?
A home visit and response to informal enquiries are voluntary. Parents are not legally obliged to produce specific evidence, such as samples of work. If you provide no information, though, the LA may decide that it cannot see that education appears suitable.
Is the Children Not in School register in force in England?
The Children Not in School register provisions were created by the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, but they are not yet in force. They commence on a day appointed by regulations.
A helpful next step
You do not need to have everything worked out at once. Find the right council, keep clear notes that work for your family, and ask questions if a request is unclear. If you would like a simpler way to keep a record of learning, start Flybrite’s 7-day free trial. There is no card needed to start, and the record stays yours.
