Education Welfare Officer

The Council expects all its employees to have a full commitment to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and acceptance of personal responsibility for its practical application. All employees are required to comply with and promote the policy and to ensure that discrimination is eliminated in the service of the Authority.

JOB PURPOSE

* To assist and support the Principal Education Welfare Officer by ensuring a high standard of professional practice in the promotion of raising attendance throughout Waltham Forest.

* To assist the Court Officer to provide legal representation of the LA in the local Magistrates’ Court, Youth and Family Proceedings Courts, in school attendance matters and those cases relating to breaches of the law and the Council’s Bye Laws in relation to Child Employment and performances. To present and prosecute cases in the local magistrates court.

* To enforce legal requirements in relation to child employment and performances.

* To assist in supervising the issuing of work permits for part-time employment of young people.

* To assist in supervising the issuing of licences for public performances and entertainment of children and young people.

* Assist PEWO in developing the Education Welfare Team in line with changes in the pattern of school needs education service priorities and council and national developments.

* To investigate and action accordingly children’s absence from schools and promote good attendance.

* To work as part of a multi-agency team providing an integrated approach in the delivery of services to achieve the principal aims of the Education Welfare Team. To work directly with children, young people, parents, carers and the wider community to help overcome obstacles to education and enable regular attendance

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

* Services

* To ensure that all schools, are kept fully informed of changes to legislation, guidance and government targets and priorities as they relate to the work of both the Education Welfare Team.

* To ensure there is effective tracking of vulnerable children and young people.

* Initial contact will be made by a Senior Local Authority Officer. This will be aimed at establishing the position, gathering initial information and providing help or sign posting if the parent is actually seeking a school place.

* Where parents intend to continue to home educate Senior Local Authority Officers will commence educational monitoring.

* Where parents intend to continue to home educate, they will be offered termly workshops and information sessions. These will be facilitated by the Senior Local Authority Officers.

* To institute legal proceedings through preparation of notification of parental responsibility letters and summonses for prosecution of parents for their child’s non-attendance at school.

* To provide the prosecution’s evidence for legal proceedings instituted as above and to appear at court proceedings on behalf of the Local Education Authority.

* To act as the lead officer in relation to Education Supervision Orders or School Attendance Orders to ensure that appropriate action is taken in response to any court direction.

* To act as a designated local authority officer in accordance with Waltham Forest Code of Conduct be responsible for the issuing of Penalty Notices to parents/carers for their child’s non-attendance at school.

* To implement Fast-Track to Prosecution.

* To liaise closely with the Special Educational Needs Team concerning pupils with SEN.

* To liaise closely with the Children in Care Team concerning pupils with irregular attendance.

* To assist in the direct work of the Education Welfare Team in implementing the strategies of children’s services in order to support schools and other educational establishments in improving attendance and behaviour.

* As a designated local authority officer to manage the preparation of cases to court. Review the case history and ensure that all procedures have been followed, and that case records are complete.

* To provide guidance to schools in the preparation of case papers for the prosecution of parents in relation to irregular school attendance, including section 9 witness statements, evidence gathering and appearances at court.

* To identify the appropriate legal action to be pursued in relation to non-attendance and access to education.

* To support fieldwork EWOs in the preparation of case papers for the prosecution of parents in relation to irregular school attendance, including section 9 witness statements, evidence gathering and appearances at court.

* To support and guide EWS administrative staff with the preparation and issuing of work permits for young people, and child entertainment licences.

* Provide advice, guidance to EWOs and school staff on the relevant legislation in the Education Act 1996 (namely S.444 (1), S.444 (1a) & S.437).

* People

* Be responsible for safeguarding young people and for ensuring that all staff know and understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

* Develop and maintain relationships with young people, key strategic partnerships, statutory partners/service providers, schools and the wider community in order to facilitate the delivery of high quality services, which meet the needs of the user.

Please contact Supply Care Solutions and ask for Michael Johnny for more detail on this role