Services for schools: Education Welfare Officers (EWOs)

Some of this service is statutory and free of charge.

Southampton Local Authority’s duties of enforcing school attendance are the responsibility of Education Welfare Officers (EWOs). To do this we work in partnership with schools, academies, pupils, parents/carers to improve attendance and minimise disaffection. Our work is essential to ensure that pupils are able to make the best possible use of the educational opportunities which are available to them and maximise their future potential.

Extra services including an extra EWO can be purchased.

Purchased EWO services can include: 

• Early intervention/reducing barriers to attendance meetings in schools – the Education Welfare Officer can attend meetings with parents, carers, children and young people where absence is falling or lower than expected.
• Individual casework management on absence issues not in the statutory process to provide advice, support, consultation, and action plan in line with the Education Welfare Service process and procedures.
• Unannounced Visits – Education Welfare Officers can be purchased and deployed to make unannounced visits if there is a non-attendance or safeguarding concern or for a young person due to prolonged non- attendance.