Dear Dr Atkinson,

I note with some sadness your rather abrupt and indirect response to Mike Fortune Wood. I have read his letter several times. Nowhere does Mr Fortune Wood make reference to you personally* with regard to your comments on elective home education. He commented only on your professional knowledge and conduct and your subsequent suitability for the role of Children's Commissioner.

Specifically he made reference to:

• your understanding (or lack thereof) of the law and general situation regarding elective home education
  
• your misrepresentation of that law and general situation to members of the Children Schools and Families Select Committee
• your misrepresentation of the death of Khyra Ishaq (who was failed by services that were aware of the precariousness of her position and yet could not or did not save her, despite this knowledge) to members of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee
  

I am unclear as to how Mr Fortune Wood's comments could have been construed in any other way. My disappointment at your response lies mainly in your refusal to answer the perfectly legitimate issues he raises.

I feel it necessary to state in no uncertain terms that you and many of the other professionals who appear to have great power at their disposal with regard to children and families are public servants. We fund your very professional existence and it is wholly reasonable to expect accountability in return. It is wholly reasonable to expect some level of constructive dialogue from a public servant when pertinent and evidenced questions regarding his or her professional knowledge and conduct have been respectfully raised.

Such reticence to provide adequate explanations has become somewhat commonplace over recent years. However, that does not make it right. If you are not humble, if you do not listen in sympathy and if you do not respond to the voices of genuine and concerned parents and carers - the people who will always have the biggest stake in the safety and wellbeing of their children - then what hope is there for the children themselves?

It is time to set the agenda straight. This is not about home educated children - this is about every child, wherever they live and however they learn. Each and every child really does matter, and no-one knows this better than their families and communities. It is time for public servants to start listening.

Regards,

Lisa Amphlett

*that is, in a personal capacity

[Also covered by Jax, Maire here and here, the Special Minister of EHE, Irdial and Grit]