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1
In order to allow EWOs to devote a greater
amount of time in primary and possibly nursery
schools the EWS will encourage and assist
schools to;
•
Use curriculum flexibility to encourage
disaffected Key Stage 4 pupils to attend
school more regularly.
•
Make EOTAS provision available for a number
of Key Stage 4 pupils who persistently refuse
to attend school and for whom it is considered
that mainstream school is not a viable option.
2
Three additional permanent EWOs need to
be recruited to enable the SEWOs to undertake
a greater managment role and ensure effective
service delivery within their area. This
caseload is currently being undertaken
by EWOs in temporary posts and there is
difficulty in recruiting EWOs into tempory
positions due to a shortage of suitably
qualified people.
3
The EWS has delegated responsibility of
monitoring and licensing child employment.
Currently this involves issuing licences
to children performing on stage, radio
and film and work permits to those who
work after school, at weekends and in
the school holidays. Since December 1999
the SELB has issued 10 performance licences
and six work permits. The latter number
in no real way reflects the number of
young people within the SELB who actually
engage in paid employment after school
and at weekends. Many employers and young
people do not know the legislation relating
to the employment of young people and
the jobs for which they may be employed.
As a result there may be a number of young
people working over long hours and in
dangerous occupation. Both of which would
impact on their performance in school.
The SELB needs to consider how it will
meets its obligation in relation to this
legislation by;
•
Making employers and young people aware
of the legislation
•
Monitoring the employment of young people
•
Taking legal action where necessary to
ensure the safety of young people
- The
EWS will identify primary schools that
have attendance rates that are below
the board average and together with
other Board services develop a strategy
for assisting these schools to improve
their attendance. The EWS needs to identify
the pupils in primary school that are
persistent non-attenders and develop
strategies for earlier intervention.
5
Consideration needs to be given whether
there is a role for EWOs in nursery schools
6
The EWS has experienced difficulty in the
recruitment of staff with a DIPSW qualification.
Consideration
need to be given to the recruitment and
retention of staff.
7
The EWS will work more effectively with
other Board services to support low achieving
schools which is part of the Boards TSN
objective. Low achieving schools frequently
have lower than average attendance rates
and the EWS together with CASS has a role
to play in supporting schools in the development
and implementation of attendance policies
and practices in addition to working with
individual pupils.
8
The EWS will agree on a criteria for closing
cases when EWS intervention has not been
successful and when it is felt that there
is nothing further that can be done to assist
a child or young person.
9
The EWS will work with other board services
to develop ongoing consultation with service
users.
- The
EWS will ensure that policies and practices
are in keeping with Equality and Human
Rights Legislation.
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