What we can offer
- trained, skilled and experienced staff who are experts in the field of attendance
- teams of staff who are specialists in the phase within which they work
- a named person who will be the key contact for the school
- agreed, regular school visits, meeting identified school staff and monitoring attendance registers
- joint working with school staff to develop a range of strategies and initiatives to reduce unauthorised absence and improve attendance
- sharing good practice with schools across the city
- advice and guidance on attendance issues - whole school, Key Stage, year group and individual
- individual casework to resolve attendance issues
- regular feedback to school on casework
- formal non-attendance procedures, where appropriate
- Key Stage transition support
- advice, guidance and ongoing liaison with young people and their families regarding exclusion from school
- support to young people and their families regarding SEN issues
- links between alternative educational provision and schools
- individual, annual Attendance Plans for schools
- termly Attendance Reports for Headteachers and Governors
- clear lines of accountability regarding the work of the Service
- support to schools from senior staff within the Service
- consultation with other LEAs regarding tracking missing pupils
- liaison with other education welfare services regarding best practice
What we do that others don't
- comprehensive attendance audits, with clear recommendations for improvement of in-school systems
- access to, and support surrounding, legal procedures for non-attendance
- detailed analysis of attendance figures
- comparable data on a termly basis to enable schools self assessment
- City wide Truancy Sweeps in conjunction with the Police
Statutory responsibilities
- LEA responsibility for attendance within the city
- employment and licensing of school age children
- prosecution for non-attendance
- monitoring of attendance arrangements within school
- support and challenge to schools regarding attendance issues
- child protection responsibilities
- monitoring attendance of vulnerable groups
- returning attendance data on children looked after by the local authority to comply with statutory requirements
- attendance and unauthorised absence target setting
Professional development and training of our staff
- comprehensive induction programmes for new staff
- half termly in-set training for the whole Service
- external training in key areas (whole staff or individuals)
- individual supervision on a monthly basis
- regular team meetings
- updates regarding new legislation and guidance from DfES
- Service development to ensure consistency of knowledge and its application
- sharing of good practice
- continuing professional development through Individual Training Development Reviews and Personal Development Planner
What people think about us
Primary Schools
- "Consistently good quality support and follow up"
- "Prompt attention and follow up phone calls."
- "Putting support/time where it is needed."
- "The EWO support in tracking lateness and following up individual cases has improved significantly. The staff have been helpful and pro-active."
Secondary Schools
- "Effective and efficient procedures have been put in place in negotiation with EWO and Key Stage staff."
- "X has provided a first class service."
- "When we have a high quality EWO who is well trained and who attends consistently the central service is excellent."
- "Excellent networking and mutually beneficial relationships between EWO and school."
- "We would appreciate cover for absent EWOs."
- "X gives the school real value for money."
Contact:
Gill Tippetts, Principal Education Welfare Officer
Orchard House
c/o Hengrove School
Petherton Road
Hengrove
Bristol
BS14 9BF
Tel: 0117 90 31660
Email: gill.tippetts@bristol.gov.uk