Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands namely the Statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, families and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people. All three strands share the same national outcomes:
- Improved Attendance
- Improved Participation
- Improved Retention
Education is compulsory for children from the ages of 6 to 16 or until students have completed three years of post-primary education. The EWS is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child, as defined in the legislation, either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.
In addition, the EWS provides guidance and advice to parents of children aged under 6 and over 16 with regard to applications for school places. Where a child has special educational needs the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the lead Agency, collaborating with the EWS, to support parents with applications for suitable school places.