Education is a cornerstone of successful international assignments, and many relocating families — including those with strong faith backgrounds or facing short-term placements — rely on home schooling for flexibility.

The UK’s proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill may significantly reshape this option for families moving to England.

Under the Bill, all home-educated children must be formally registered through a new “Children Not in School” system. This removes parents’ previous ability to home-school informally and introduces new compliance requirements. Relocating families will need to plan ahead, as local authorities will gain expanded powers to intervene if they deem a home environment unsuitable or if the child is already known to social services.

For mobility teams, the key impact lies in preparing families for tighter oversight and potential delays in establishing home education after arrival. Home schooling has traditionally offered solutions to challenges such as school waitlists, unclear assignment lengths, and special educational needs; however, the new legislation may reduce this flexibility.

Supporters argue the Bill enhances safeguarding and prevents educational neglect, while critics warn it introduces burdensome bureaucracy and limits parental choice. Relocation providers should monitor the Bill’s progress and guide families through evolving expectations and administrative steps.