Enforcing school attendance is the main role of the Education Welfare Service, but in practice Education Welfare Officers (EWOs) will work closely with schools and families in an attempt to avoid legal measures.

It is recognised that the causes of irregular school attendance can be varied and complex and in some cases EWOs will undertake an important role in other related areas of work which may have a bearing on school attendance.

Education Welfare Officers will not undertake the role of an advocate.

Education Welfare Officers will:

• Encourage parents to visit the school and discuss any concerns
• Offer support and advice on a variety of educational matters
• Make parents aware of their legal responsibilities
• Assess areas of difficulty and bridge any gap between home and school
• Interpret particular situations and needs to the school.

Irregular school attendance is usually associated with a range of personal problems experienced by the children concerned, as well as other problems which may be school or family based. The role of the Education Welfare Officer with regard to irregular school attendance is to:

• Identify, in conjunction with schools, cases of irregular school attendance which necessitate further action
• Assess the circumstances which have led to the breakdown of school attendance and identifying causes and other significant factors which can assist in resolving the problems
• Assist schools in the interpretation and use of attendance data through closer analysis and monitoring
• Analyse the extent and incidence of intermittent and persistent absence
• Plan appropriate action in conjunction with the school, the child and the family (and any other specialist agency if necessary)
• Implement action plans to support the child and family in overcoming their difficulties with irregular school attendance
• Evaluate the outcome of their action plan
• Take court proceedings on behalf of the local authority if necessary
• Maintain a record of work undertaken.