President Statement.  AEWM Conference May 20. 2020  

Guy Halley

I am honoured to be the new President of the AEWM. It feels quite a daunting responsibility –especially following in the footsteps of Jane and her immediate predecessors. This year I have been very keenly aware of the incredible commitment and support undertaken by Jane in helping drive the association forwards – tough shoes to fill but I will do my best.

As President I realise how fortunate I am to have such a great team within the National Executive Council. I see myself as being very fortunate in this regard. All NEC members have considerable experience in the public and private sector, all pulling together to advance the interests of the young people who must remain at the centre of our work

This is a time which stands alone in the history of the AEWM.  To be in the middle of a global pandemic is to be in the middle of global change and uncertainty. The words` lock down`,  Covid 19, Coronavirus and so many others would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.

Who would have thought? Mass school closures. Health and care services under immense pressure. Many schools staying open over the holiday period. Penalty Notices suspended. Courts closed. Exam testing suspended. A country in uncertainty, confused, unsure of direction – this is where the AEWM have an important role to play helping to clarify, prioritise and guide colleagues.

Here we are now. Having a conference `on line`. Staying at home. Communicating through Skype, ZOOM, Microsoft `Team` and other ways. Perhaps even via a phone conversation.  We adapt and prosper…

It has been enlightening to witness the ongoing shared partnership with colleagues in the DfE. Your messages, your concerns and your questions matter. We can and have put these to the DfE and others. At a time of such change there has never been a greater need for our voice to be heard. You know what is happening on the ground. You care for the young people you are in contact with .You make a difference.

It seems ironic that only a few short months ago we were discussing an increase in Elective Home Education numbers. Now here we are with many thousands of young people at home for months. Perhaps there will be a new world once this is all over-a world of increasing home working, of community hubs. AEWM needs to establish our stance and promote as effectively as we have done since its founding in 1917

When this crisis is over we must learn from all that has happened. We must take this opportunity to look at our Education system in the context of all our experiences, our knowledge and our wisdom and must seek to help it adapt to the future. It may be that the. Boundaries between school and EHE blend/change. The AEWM should be at the forefront of reaching out to communities.

Finally as your President I will commit to ensuring your views are heard and that on your behalf I will continue to strive for the interests of the young people and their precious right to an education. 

As a closing comment I suggest that we in the AEWM  take a minute to reflect on those who have suffered , those who are suffering , those who have tragically lost their lives and also to those who are carers, volunteers,  health workers,  Educators  and so many others who have placed themselves at risk of harm in order to help in these exceptional and challenging times.

Thank you 

Members may be interested to know about the International Network for School Attendance. A new network for Academics and 'clinicians. Further information is available at    

www. insa.network

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.

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 Education, 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.

Membership of AEWM costs £30 pa and we welcome your applications. Further information is available on the website under the JOIN button. However if you would like to try before you buy, we would like to offer you a warm invitation to attend the next regional meeting in your area to receive information and make contact with other similar professionals.