Education Welfare

The Education Welfare Service has a duty to help safeguard the interests of children by promoting regular attendance at school to ensure that all children obtain full benefit from the educational opportunities available to them.  This is achieved by providing a social work service focussed on educational matters; addressing problems at school, in the home or elsewhere which may inhibit a child's ability to benefit from the education provided; by identifying cases of non-attendance and implementing a plan of action to support the child and family.

The Royal Borough's Education Welfare Service believes that every child has a right to education; that it should establish a link between home and school and respond to the needs of pupils, their parents and the school; the Education Welfare Service keeps contact with other agencies and supports young people who are experiencing difficulties both in and out of school; heightens awareness to the importance of regular attendance, initiates legal proceedings where necessary and implements appropriate sections of the Children Act.

Equality of Opportunity

The Education Welfare Service believes in the entitlement of every child and young person to an education appropriate to their needs.  To that end, the Education Welfare Service seeks to promote regular attendance; to encourage in families a positive attitude to education; to assist in the resolution of problems which may prevent or limit a child or young person's ability to benefit from the education provided.

Welfare

The Education Welfare Service will be available with parents' permission to support pupils in school where there is an attendance component to the presenting problem.  The Education Welfare Service responds to parental enquiries on attendance or welfare matters and where appropriate liaises with schools and other agencies to assist in resolving difficulties.  The Education Welfare Service may be involved in referring pupils for home and hospital tuition on medical/psychological grounds.

Child Protection

Each school has a designated teacher with responsibility for making child protection referrals.  Individual Education Welfare Officers have a support and advice role to offer in working with schools in child protection matters.  Education Welfare Officers will attend Child Protection Case Conferences or Family Support meetings where appropriate and in accordance with agreed procedures.  In cases where there is a concern about procedure not being followed correctly, the Principal Education Welfare and Partnerships Officer is available for consultation.

Child Protection in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Child Employment and Entertainment Licences

The Education Welfare Service:

• Offers advice on legislation to schools, pupils and employers
• Gives presentations on employment legislation to groups of pupils
• Issues licences in accordance with legislation
• Issues licences for chaperones in connection with theatrical performances
• Individual officers will enforce legislation to ensure no child's education is compromised by any abuse of these regulations

Multi Agency/Joint Working Arrangements

The Education Welfare Service:

• Maintains links with the Youth Offenders Team
• Makes cross boundary referrals to Education Welfare Services in neighbouring authorities
• Works with a number of agencies e.g. Social Services, Child and Family Consultation Service, Behaviour Support and Connexions

The organisation and administration of the EWS is the responsibility of the Principal Education Welfare and Partnerships Officer.  A team of Education Welfare Officers are each responsible for a group of schools which they visit regularly and consult with designated members of staff.

---