THE NUMBER of children being home-schooled in Gwent is on the rise across the region.

Blaenau Gwent has seen the most significant rise in the last 12 months with 59 children registered as home-educated in December of last year, compared to 16 one year previously, according to figures released in reply to a Freedom of Information act request made by Jack Rogers and published on the website WhatDoTheyKnow.

Out of the 59, 48 are aged 11-16, and 52 had previously been to school.

Torfaen also saw a sharp rise, from 64 in 2015/16 to 86 in 2016/17, while numbers have risen in Monmouthshire from 35 in January 2017 to 51 in January of this year.

Newport and Caerphilly have also seen smaller increases in the number of home-educated pupils in the last 12 months.

But the trend of rising numbers has also been a long-term one, with numbers increasing in Caerphilly from 59 in 2014/15 to a high of 107 in 2017/18.

Meanwhile Newport has seen an increase from 27 in 2013/14 to 43 in 2016/17, the latest data available.

NSPCC Cymru has reiterated its call for a compulsory register for home educated children to ensure they do not become ‘invisible’ to local authorities as numbers rise.

A spokesman for the children’s charity said: “Every family in Wales has the right to educate their child as they choose, but NSPCC Cymru has long called for a compulsory register for home educated children to ensure they do not become invisible to local authorities.

“Councils must be able to identify every one of those children in their area and make sure that they are receiving the education, safeguarding and support they need.”

The Welsh Government has said it intends to consult on plans to require local authorities to establish a database.

Under the proposals, parents will not be compelled to register that their child is being home-educated.

Instead, councils will compile a database of children not on any local authority education or independent school register.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Due to the different ways local authorities gather and record information, we are currently unable to provide reliable figures on how many children are educated at home or how many go on to further or higher education.

“The cabinet secretary for education has made it clear that this is not an acceptable situation.

“We intend to consult on using existing legislation to require local authorities to establish a database to help identify children not on a school register, not in education otherwise than at school and not receiving a suitable education.”

Wales’ children’s commissioner Sally Holland said: “There isn’t a clear and obvious reason why the numbers of home educated children in these areas have increased.

“Some parents will feel that their child is not properly supported at school, especially if they have complex needs,” she said. “Others might simply feel that mainstream education isn’t right for their child.

“It’s also possible that a rise in online social networks, which can provide information and advice to prospective home educators, has contributed to more parents feeling sufficiently confident to teach their children at home.”

Ms Holland, who is responsible for overseeing the protection of children’s rights in Wales, added: “The rise in numbers further emphasises the need for home educated children to be seen by a professional from their local authority, who can make sure they are receiving their human right to a suitable education, and getting any additional support they need.

“I’ve been calling for the law to be changed to place a duty on local authorities to do this.

“I think it’s the only way to make sure that no child is invisible to the services and support that should be made available to all children in Wales, no matter where they’re educated.”

Do you home-school your children? If you do we want to speak to you. Contact us on 01633 777278 or newsdesk@southwalesargus.co.uk.