Hi, my name is ranyousaf! Does my daughter's course count as full time education on UC?

ranyousaf
ranyousaf Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited February 7 in Universal Credit (UC)

Hello,

I really need some good advice please. My daughter (17) is doing her A levels online. She has just started them this term and dropped out of her 6th form on 6/01/25. She couldn't handle the environment in her college anymore. We paid for her to do a two year course with exams next summer with an accredited online course provider. UC have asked us to report a change to say if my daughter has left full time education. I'm really confused. She is homeschooling now for 5hours per day in her chosen A level subjects. Is this classed as being in full time education? I know child benefit ask if the child is studying GCSE or A levels. I don't mind losing the child element. I don't wish to do anything wrong here. Thank you

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    It will depend on what type of course and what qualification it would be at the end. You will need to report the changes and tell UC what course it is and that she's being home schooled. I'm unsure if your child element would continue in this case.

    You also need to make sure you report the changes to HMRC if you're claiming child benefit.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,822 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @ranyousaf, welcome to the community. As Poppy says, the best people to ask would be Universal Credit themselves. If you report the change in circumstances and explain what kind of course she is studying now, hopefully they can clarify things for you 😊

    Hope your daughter is getting on okay with her studies!

  • tabspeaks
    tabspeaks Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Since your daughter is studying A-levels online for around 5 hours a day, she may still count as being in full-time education if the course is accredited and meets the minimum study hours (usually 12+ per week). It’s best to check with UC directly to confirm, but you’re not doing anything wrong by reporting her current situation. Hope that helps!

  • tabspeaks
    tabspeaks Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
  • denise_moye
    denise_moye Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/129255/hi-my-name-is-ranyousaf-does-my-daughters-course-count-as-full-time-education-on-uc

    Did you sort this out in the end? I’m in the same situation, looking at options for September as my son is struggling in college. As far as I can see from the ‘rules’, as long as it’s non advanced by an approved provider and at least 12hrs a week, that is counted as full time education. Finding information online is a nightmare however and getting a reply from UC is even worse. I’m looking at a couple of online courses which will then meet the 12hr requirement.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,810 Championing

    Disability Rights UK have a disabled student helpline service:

    https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/disabled-students-helpline?srsltid=AfmBOoqdod4xpJoJxvfk7hcaWF7ur5yc8mbzFmI4uPRsz6iB48HyhV_h

  • TheManFromLondon
    TheManFromLondon Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/129255/hi-my-name-is-ranyousaf-does-my-daughters-course-count-as-full-time-education-on-uc

    I am certain you are registered with EHE. The law says:

    You must make sure your child receives a full-time education from the age of 5, but you do not have to follow the national curriculum.

    The council can make an ‘informal enquiry’ to check your child is getting a suitable education at home. They can serve a school attendance order if they think your child needs to be taught at school.

    So long you are satisfying EHE you provide adequate education for the age of your child, in this case A-Levels etc, you are in full time education.

    This is indisputable. Period..

    I educate my son, he is year 11, doing his GCSE, and we are in agreement with EHE he will do his A-Levels homeschooled as well.

    So yes, you child is in full time home education and you wont loose neither the Child Element or Child Benefit.

  • TheManFromLondon
    TheManFromLondon Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected

    p.s. if any doubt, call your EHE officer and they will confirm.

  • TheManFromLondon
    TheManFromLondon Online Community Member Posts: 19 Connected

    @ranyousaf and please dont ask random people advice about home schoolin, when you are not sure if themselves home schooling their own children. It is a rather complex subject, people outside of it have everything wrong about it, ie homeschooled children dont have to take GCSE and go straight to A-Levels.

    Spare yourself from misinformation and ask all questions to your EHE officer.

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