The government’s procedures on home education were copied from local authorities in the UK.

We have previously reported that the Department of Health and Social Care copied more than 50% of its integrated care plan from Wigan Council.

The latest government copy and paste work came to light when Tristam Llewellyn-Jones was giving evidence to the social policy and review committee which is looking into home educating.

Mr Llewellyn-Jones noted that the document, which advises parents on their rights and responsibilities, has been copied in large parts from Lancashire Council, with elements changed to reflect Manx law and some paragraphs dropped entirely.

The practice is apparently not uncommon.

A simple Google search showed that large parts of the procedures appear in documents published by Trafford Council, Surrey Council, Southampton City Council, the Scottish Government and many others.

In the committee hearing, Deputy Clerk of Tynwald Jonathan King pointed out that the Department of Education, Sport and Culture had never endorsed the document.

Mr Llewellyn-Jones replied: ’No. but they published it on their website.

The procedures also include a foreword from Education Minister Graham Cregeen.

He says: ’Education is a fundamental right for every child and we recognise that parents have the right to choose to educate their child at home rather than at school.

’These procedures have been prepared to help the department manage our relationship with home educating parents.’