The work of the Education Welfare Service (EWS) centres on four key areas:

School Attendance

The core of our work is school attendance and the welfare of young people.  As part of this we also provide advice on child protection matters.

The Education Welfare Service promotes the importance of regular school attendance and investigates the causes of poor attendance.  When a young person has a record of absences, or has stopped going to school altogether, Education Welfare staff work with parents and carers, school staff and other agencies, including the Courts, to restore attendance.

Pupil Connect

Safeguarding Birmingham pupils' access to education
The Pupil Connect Team is a collaboration between the Education Welfare Service and the Behaviour Support Service.  Pupil Connect identifies, tracks, monitors and works to reconnect those children who, for a range of reasons, have become disconnected from education.

Child Protection Lead Office in the Local Authority

The Education Welfare Service takes lead responsibility for the Local Authority in matters of Child Protection.  EWS provides the link to the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB); provides written guidance notes to schools; provides advice, guidance and practical support in cases of child protection referral; co-ordinates information in Designated Teachers in schools; co-ordinates training courses through ACPC and the Health Education Unit.

Child Employment and Entertainment Licensing

The Education Welfare Service investigates and monitors employment undertaken by young people under 16 years old, to ensure that it is legal and safe, and that it does not damage or interrupt their education.  As part of this, we are responsible for issuing licences to employers.  Whatever type of part-time employment a young person undertakes, even a paper round, for example, the employer must apply for, and be granted, a licence, before the young person can start work.  There are strict laws that govern the employment of young people, which also apply to young people involved in performances, filming or modelling assignments.