Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
654. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify the role of child welfare or attendance officers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7607/14]
View answerThe functions and operational responsibilities of the former National Educational Welfare Board are now part of the new Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1st January 2014. Within the Child and Family Agency, the Education Welfare Service has specific responsibility for the Agency’s general function to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.
The primary role of the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) in this service is to advise and assist both schools and parents in relation to their respective rights and responsibilities on issues relating to school attendance, including suspensions. While an EWO can offer advice and support to a school principal in relation to the suspensions of an individual pupil, it is ultimately a matter for the school authorities to determine policy and practice around suspensions.
The Educational (Welfare) Act 2000 obliges the principal of a recognised school to notify an Educational Welfare Officer where a student is suspended for a period of not less than six (6) days. On receipt of such a notification an EWO will consult as appropriate with the school, parents/guardian and student in relation to the continued education of the child and his or her full participation in school. Under Section 29(1)(b) of the Education Act 2000, a parent/guardian may appeal a suspension of a student.
Guidance issued to all schools in Developing a Code of Behaviour (2008) by the then National Educational Welfare Board covers a wide range of issues relating to suspension as an element of behaviour management planning, including;
- When is it appropriate to use suspensions?
- When is it not appropriate?
- Length of suspensions
- Opportunity to appeal the decision of a principal to the Board of Management
- Grounds for the removal of a suspension
- Appeals under the Education Act 1998
- Obligations to report under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.
It has been the experience of the Educational Welfare Service that school Principals generally are open to advice from EWOs based on the guidance in Developing a Code of Behaviour and very often seek the assistance of their assigned EWO in such matters.
