The Charity Commission has highlighted concerns it has over “regulatory gaps” in the education system which it fears may be putting children at risk.
Earlier this month, the commission published its second annual risk assessment which revealed it had “intelligence” of some charity-run independent schools evading Department for Education (DfE) registration by claiming to operate part-time.
This week, a commission spokesperson told Civil Society that it engaged individual charities about which it has concerns in case work.
“Alongside this, we continue to be in discussion with government about what we consider are regulatory gaps in the education space that may be putting the interests and welfare of children at risk,” they said.
The National Secular Society (NSS) welcomed the commission’s recognition of the role of charities in running unregistered schools but called for further action to be taken.
Megan Manson, NSS campaign head, said: “We urge the commission to work to shut down any charity, religious or not, which breaks the law and undermines the safety, welfare and education of children in the process.”
The commission does not currently have powers to shut down or remove charitable status from organisations about which it has compliance concerns.
However, the government has signalled its intention to boost the charity regulator’s enforcement powers and the commission spokesperson said these discussions were ongoing.
Meanwhile, this year’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act strengthened education regulator Ofsted’s powers to investigate, fine, and close unregistered schools.
Civil Society has approached the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the DfE for comment.
