Educational Welfare Services
The Education Welfare Service (EWS) works with schools, parents/carers and their children who are experiencing difficulties in school. Children and young people are supported and helped to maximise their educational opportunities.
The service is provided by Education Welfare Officers, supported by senior officers and administrative staff.
- Service Provision
- Attendance
- Disruptive Behaviour
- Exclusions
- Child Employment and Performance Licences
- Other Agencies / Colleages
- How are referrals made?
- Contact from parents/carers
- Duty system
The Education Welfare Service works within a legal framework. The EWS endeavours to provide a caring, supportive and effective service. It ensures that regular attendance at school remains of paramount importance in order that children may benefit from their education.
The law requires good attendance at school. The EWS works with schools, parents/carers and pupils to:
- Assess the circumstances which have led to irregular school attendance
- Implement a plan of action to support the child/young person and family to overcoming any difficulties
- Evaluate the outcome together with the child/young person, family and school, and reassess the situation
- Acknowledge and reward good practice and achievements
- Carry out truancy patrol in conjunction with Thames Valley Police
- Initiate court action on behalf of the LA should the non-attendance remain unresolved
The implications of disruptive behaviour on a pupil's education can be profound and can adversely affect the education of other pupils within the school. When a child/young person with disruptive behaviour is identified, the Education Welfare Officer (EWO):
- Considers the causes in conjunction with others, in particular the child/young person, his/her family and the school
- Works towards improving the confidence self-esteem and motivation of the child/young person
Exclusion from school is a step taken by the Headteacher when it is felt that a pupil should stay away from school for disciplinary reasons.
The role of the EWO in the exclusion process is to:
- Make contact with the parents/carers and child/young person, for exclusion of over 5 days or permanent, to offer advice and support and to encourage attendance at the meeting of the Governors' Discipline Committee
- Support and advise the child/young person in re-admission to the school or integration into an alternative placement.
Child Employment and Entertainment Licences
The Education Welfare Service contributes to the implementation of the law regarding child employment and children taking part in commercial entertainment. A child taking part in a performance, which can include TV or filming, theatre, sporting activities or modelling, will require chaperoning. Chaperones are licensed by the Local Authority. The EWS has a responsibility to:
- Issue licences and permits as appropriate
- Give advice to parents/carers, children/young people and employers
- Monitor employment and performance within the Bracknell Forest Council area
The Education Welfare Service works closely with other departments, particularly in the areas of:
- Child Protection
- Children looked after by the local authority
- The development of services for children.
The Education Welfare Service works closely with other agencies in relation to children, young people and families, and also with colleagues, for example:
- Youth Offending Team
- Thames Valley Police
- Health Services
- Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service
- Child & Family Consultation Service
- Educational Psychology Service
- School Admissions Team
The majority of referrals are made to the Education Welfare Service by local schools. However, parents/carers, other professionals, such as Health and Children's Services, are also able to make referrals.
As well as children and young people, parents and families have their problems too. Many find it difficult to cope with the demands of their children. When problems cause worry, persist or become unmanageable, it will help to contact the Education Welfare Service.
To ensure that there is a personal response on a daily basis, a duty system is in operation.
A duty officer is available from:
3 - 5.15 pm Monday to Thursday
3 - 4.45 pm Friday
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