•
It is recommended that the board area should
be divided into four area teams, which given
the geographical constraints are of an equitable
size for SEWOs to manage. The size of area
teams will need to be kept under review
on a regular basis in order to meet the
changing needs of areas.
•
It is recommended that SEWOs undertake responsibility
for managing a team of EWOs and the delivery
of the service in their area.
•
It is recommended that education welfare
staff where possible should be based in
a team base in central location within their
area. The team bases in the Craigavon and
Dungannon areas have been improved and it
is recommended that a similar level of accommodation
needs to be available in Newry and Armagh.
•
It is recommended that the core business
of the EWS is:
•
working with children and young people who
are persistent non-attenders
•
Assisting schools with pupil welfare.
•
It is recommended that EWOs should concentrate
on these core business areas.
•
It is recommended that the referral system
should be introduced into all post primary
schools and that consideration should be
given to introducing the system into primary
schools. The referral system establishes
standardised access to the service across
all team areas ensures regular liaison between
schools and EWOs and introduces greater
accountability.
