What is the Education Welfare Service?

Educational Welfare Officers provide a specialist social work service to pupils and their families in partnership with schools. There is a focus on promoting and maintaining good school attendance.

What are the aims of the Education Welfare Service?

Educational Welfare Officers aim to:-

· Work in partnership with schools, families and other professional agencies to provide equal educational opportunities for all school age children.

· Work with parents, schools and other agencies in cases when children have been, or are likely to be, excluded from school.

· Work with children and families offering advice, advocacy and appropriate provisions to attempt to remedy difficulties which affect children’s education.

· Offer a specialist social work service within the educational context, with expertise and advice on matters relating to school attendance, social and emotional problems and child protection procedures. It also provides a link between schools and families and other agencies when needed.

· Prevent school age children from being exploited by monitoring juvenile employment and performance.

Where do I find out more?

Each school has a named Education Welfare Officer to whom they should direct their enquiries.

For more information, please contact:

›	Education Welfare Service Chestnut House, Warren Crescent Shirley Warren, Southampton, SO16 6AY
	023 8083 3279