The local authority Education Welfare Service provides professional, quality support to schools, children, young people and parents and provides appropriate support to education settings, so that children and young people can benefit from the educational opportunities provided to them.
The Educational Welfare Service believes that children and young people have the right to equal opportunities and are committed to ensuring that all children and young people gain maximum benefit from education and support with their wellbeing.
The Education Welfare service staff consists of:
- Senior Education Welfare Officer (SEWO)
- Education Welfare Officers (EWO)
- Family Liaison Officers (FLO)
- Elective Home Education Officer (EHE Officer)
The Education Welfare Service explores the reasons behind school absence, offer information and guidance, undertake planned interventions, advise parents about specialist support services, and make referrals to appropriate services when required. The Education Welfare Service works collaboratively with other agencies to support all children and young people with specific emphasis placed on safeguarding and child protection issues.
The Education Welfare Service undertakes legal proceedings on behalf of the local authority, in respect of parents who do not ensure their child(ren) attend school regularly or do not enrol them at school or education otherwise than at school. Schools will follow their attendance improvement processes which may include a referral to the Education Welfare Service.
Within Monmouthshire Education Welfare Officers also hold Lead role responsibilities for the following areas:
- Elective Home Education (EHE)
- Children Missing Education (CME)
- Multi Agency Risk assessment Conference (MARAC)
- Chaperone & Licensing
- Work Permits
- Entertainment Licensing & Body of persons Approval (BOPAs)