Education Welfare Service

Organisational Structure Chief Education Welfare Officer Deputy Chief EWO 1 (Operations Management) Senior EWO Derry North & Limavady Senior EWO Derry South Senior EWO Strabane/ Omagh Senior EWO Fermanagh/ Omagh 8 EWOs (2 job share) 6 EWOs 5 EWOs Deputy Chief EWO 3 (Child Protection)

Education Welfare Service Mission Statement “ The EWS promotes the participation of children and young people in beneficial education by a partnership and inclusive approach”

Education Welfare Service Framework for Legislation Education and Libraries (N.I.) Order 1986 The Children (N.I.) Order 1995 Human Rights Act 1998 Section 75 N.I. Act 1998 S.E.N.D.O ( Special Education Needs Disability Order ) Education and Libraries (N.I.) Order 2003

Education Welfare Service Policies and Procedures ELB and Schools’ Child Protection Policies (Pastoral Care, Bullying, Attendance etc) DENI 1999/10 Pastoral Care in Schools: Child Protection Cooperating to Safeguard Children 2003 Regional Area Child Protection Policies and Procedures WELB Education Welfare Service Manual

Education Welfare Service Strategic Objectives To assist schools to develop a whole school approach for the promotion of regular attendance To operate within agreed criteria for referral to schools and to respond appropriately To empower parents to meet their legal responsibilities

Education Welfare Service Strategic Objectives To engage with families and children in a structured and purposeful way To engage in efficient and effective intra-board partnerships To establish effective working relationships with appropriate external bodies

Education Welfare Service Improving School Attendance  Northern Ireland Audit Office Report 2004

Education Welfare Service Recommendations from 2004 Develop a more strategic perspective in relation to improving school attendance Bring about change in school policy and procedures and disseminate good practice ideas on managing attendance Use data effectively to deal with low attendance

Education Welfare Service Outcomes from Attendance Data collected annually -Every School a Good School -Attendance policies -School Attendance Matters : A parents guide -Tess -Sam -Lac

Education Welfare Service Improving School Attendance Northern Ireland Audit Office – Follow up Report 2014

Education Welfare Service Outcomes from 2014 Attendance Strategy Attendance Networks Effective use of Data Closer working relationship between schools and EWS Target groups most at risk of poor attendance

Education Welfare Service Regional Education & Library Boards Action Plan

Education Welfare Service  Consultation  Collaboration  Resources

Education Welfare Service “ Regular school attendance and educational attainment are inextricably linked and regular attendance ensures that pupils get the best possible outcomes from their period in compulsory education” Improving Pupil Attendance Follow-up Report 2014

Education Welfare Service

Justice Intervention Protection Enforcement Control Statutory role Mediation Assessment Support Care A key Principle of the Education Welfare Service is a commitment to the care and welfare of young people and families.

Education Welfare Service Service Level Agreement EWS and School Process Liaison Arrangements

Education Welfare Service Attendance Policy School Meeting Authorised Absence Talk to child Monitor Attendance Letter to Parent Phone Call to Parent School Process

Education Welfare Service Effective Liaison  Agreed set times  Accurate Data  Up to date pupil information  Review

Education Welfare Service School Action Referral Allocation Assessment Action Plan Review Close Case (if required) Education Welfare Process Intervention

Education Welfare Service Referral Legal Process Education Welfare Service Child focused action Children’s (NI) Order 1995 Parent focused action Education & Libraries (NI) Order 1986 Family Proceedings Court Magistrates Court Care Order Education Supervision Order Adjournment Fine

Education Welfare Service - Young People and Families - School Action - EWS Action - Action by other agencies - Legal/Court Action Intervention Process

Education Welfare Service Questions and Answers