Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2012
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will indicate arising from reports her Department may have received from school authorities throughout the country appertaining to the health and welfare of children, if she intends to take any particular or specific measures to combat issues arising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40881/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was established under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The NEWB is a statutory agency under the remit of my Department. It has responsibility to ensure that every child attends school regularly, or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, to support regular school attendance, tackle problems of absenteeism and to provide an educational welfare service. The NEWB receives information and referrals from, amongst others, school authorities relating to concerns for the educational welfare of individual children. The NEWB advises that when a young person is referred to the Board by a school, parent or another agency the initial work of the Education Welfare Officer is to assess the nature, scope and depth of the problem.
This action taken then falls into two distinct categories. The first is a brief intervention whereby low level intervention proportionate to the need of the individual and the family can often effectively resolve the issue, thus preventing attendance problems escalating. For example, this work includes assistance with finding a school place and advice and support around Section 29 Appeals, suspensions and expulsions. In 2011, the Board reports that it worked with 12,062 children and families in providing assistance at this level. Problems of poor school attendance that are the manifestation of more complex and deep rooted difficulties can take significant time, expert help and on-going support from the NEWB to make progress. Such work can involve developing a plan with the family, young person and school to address the various barriers identified. These intensive interventions are used when brief interventions have not been successful, or are not appropriate in the circumstances. In 2011 there were a total of 3,845 children who received an intensive intervention from the Educational Welfare Service.
The National Educational Welfare Board also convenes an Education Partners Advisory Group, which consists of representative bodies from within the education sector including management body associations, school principal networks and school staff representative groups. The terms of reference for this group include addressing issues that arise for schools and the NEWB in matters relating to the promotion of children's educational welfare.
