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The Association for Education Welfare Management provides professional support for Managers in Education Social Work (ESW), the Education Welfare Service (EWS) and safeguarding in education. It has been doing this since its formation in 1917.
May 2010:
It is with great sadness that AEWM received the news that the Education Social Work Service in Bolton now no longer exists. A fully qualified service which has over the last few years steadily improved attendance levels and reduced persistent absence to the extent that the DCSF pronounced Bolton’s performance as ‘outstanding’ has been completely disestablished. Following a value for money review, the council is in the process of setting up a new service, now based entirely on the former Connexions service. Connexions have traditionally worked with the upper end of the secondary age group offering careers guidance and working with ‘Neets’ but will now be expected to provide attendance support to both primary and secondary schools. Whilst there must be every confidence that staff will rise to this challenge it remains the case that Connexions staff have no experience of promoting attendance in primary schools, or the detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation which underpins this work, and provides much needed advice to schools on a daily basis. The new service is due to be in place by September 2010, but as of today there is no ESWS component left to continue to support schools during the period of adjustment, and Bolton schools, and therefore the children and young people of Bolton will be without the valuable expertise which has been developed over a considerable number of years. Although provision has been made for the Safeguarding advice so often given by members of the ESWS to be transferred to Children’s Social care, there must be concerns that irregular attendance patterns, so often linked to Safeguarding issues, will become the responsibility, and not for some months time, of a group of workers who are on such a steep learning curve. At a time when there is so much focus on Safeguarding, this must seem to be an unwise and potentially dangerous move.
We help deliver effective and competent services, accessible to children, families and schools by maintaining a network of fellow professionals and providing a forum for members to share, support and consult. Our objectives are... To promote and safeguard the rights of children and young persons and to establish and foster co-operation with other organisations working in the interests of children and young persons. To advance the professional interests of its members. To promote and improve the ethos of social inclusion. To encourage the development and training of all staff in education welfare and social inclusion. To disseminate information to the membership on developments in education welfare and social inclusion.
We have links with Government and other political and professional bodies including the Department for Children, Schools & Families, CSF, Teacher Associations and Unions and our sister organisation NASWE. Members receive information on current issues and potential changes affecting their work and are given opportunities to comment on consultation documents. They are also offered training and supporting literature. Regional groups meet quarterly to provide a forum for debate, exchange of views and a vehicle for the provision and discussion of information. |
