Schools, early years and childcare

The role of the Education Welfare Service (EWS) is to ensure that children and young persons of school age receive the opportunity for appropriate education in relation to their age and abilities and attend school.

When a referral is received from either a school, a parent or another agency, the EWS investigates. In cases of non-attendance at school, suspected truancy and/or persistent lateness, it will make immediate contact with parents. Parents or other agencies can use the online form to make a referral.

There can be meetings with teaching staff and other agencies and mediation between the school and the family to provide advice and support for young people and their families.

Where repeated non-attendance occurs, cases are presented in the Magistrates and Family Proceedings Courts.

The EWS receives and processes all requests for work permits for children, undertaking the necessary checks and obtaining medical consent through to the issue of the permit to the child and the employment card to the employer.

Requests for child performance and matron's licences are also received and processed by the EWS, which checks the authenticity of documents such as birth certificates, photographs, school permission and medical certificates. The service issues the licences when all the appropriate checks have been completed.

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