Education welfare services

The Education Welfare Service (EWS) works in partnership with pupils, schools and parents with the aim of improving school attendance. The EWS is also responsible for issuing and monitoring child employment work permits and performance licenses.

The EWS currently has a staff group consisting of one Principal Education Welfare Officer, two Senior Education Welfare Officers/Court Officers, two Senior Education Welfare Officers, two Administrative Officers and eleven fieldwork Education Welfare Officers (EWO).

Service Developments

The introduction of ‘Fast Track’ to prosecution in order to improve attendance by means of swift legal intervention.
Also, Penalty Notices will be used where appropriate as an alternative to prosecution in Magistrates Court
Introduction of ‘Parenting Contract’ as a mechanism to support pupils and parents to improve attendance

Schools are not charged for the following services

Established time allocation of EWS support via a named EWO
Regular EWO visits to schools, providing advice on attendance matters, and to receive and feedback on referrals
Direct work with pupils and parents via home visits, meetings in schools and EWS office
Support for school improvement in the form of advice and guidance on strategic policy development from Principal Education Welfare Officer and Senior/Court Officers
Prosecution of parents at Magistrates’ Court for failing to ensure regular attendance of their children at school
Management and Chairing of School Attendance Panels
EWO participation at Year and School Assemblies, and Parent’s Evenings
Support and contribution to EduAction Support Group Meetings for schools facing challenging circumstances
Identification and access to statutory and voluntary childrens services

Specific service standards, key performance indicators and evaluation systems

Development and dissemination of policies, procedures and guidance in accordance with current government and statutory requirements
Comprehensive staff professional development programme
Rigorous staff recruitment and selection processes
To raise attendance at primary school level to 94.3% in the year 2007/8
To raise attendance at secondary school level to 92.6% in the year 2007/8
To conduct regular joint EWS and Police Truancy Patrols in identified crime ‘Hot Spots’ in line with S.16 of the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act
Annual review of EWS and Schools Partnership Agreements by EWS managers and individual Headteachers
Attendance figures show continued improvement
Regular staff supervision to ensure effective caseload management
Consistent applied comprehensive Performance Management Appraisal Process
Ensure all EWO gain access to Eduaction Assessment Centre for additional training in NVQ level 3 & 4 in L.D.S.S.

In order to serve you effectively we request that schools: -

Will be proactive in setting challenging and progressive attendance targets in line with DfES requirements
Provide absence data returns each term for submission to the DfES
Ensure school registers are maintained in accordance with The Education (Pupils Registration) Regulations 2006 and The Education (Pupil Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 1997
Must all use the prescribed DfES absences codes consistently throughout the school
Support parents in promoting the regular attendance of their children
Develop and annually review the school’s Attendance Policy, and ensure this document is disseminated to all staff across the school
Appoint a designated member of staff to oversee the management of attendance matters
Ensure all EWS referrals are submitted on a completed referral form, including attendance history
Ensure attendance of vulnerable pupils is monitored and regularly reviewed with EWO, and tracking systems are in place

Contact us

Chestnuts House,
398 Hoe Street,
Walthamstow,
London E17 9AA