The Association is proud to be celebrating 100 years of supporting its members working with schools, families and children in promoting school attendance, safeguarding and promoting positive outcomes for children.

We will be hosting a two day conference on 23rd and 24th May where we will celebrate the Centenary with a look back on the history of the Association over the last 100 years followed by a Conference Dinner and we look forward to listening to our after dinner speaker Dr Gervase Phinn (Writer and Education Inspector). The conference will be opened by Mark Rogers (former Chief Executive of both Solihull MBC & Birmingham City Council). We also look forward to a performance by the Birmingham City Council Choir.

We will have on display some archive material and a member has written a booklet looking at the detailed history of the Association which is being launched at the conference.

The second day of the conference will focus on current agenda items relating to managing attendance and Education Welfare Services in a rapidly changing world: good practice in raising attendance, penalty notices for holidays in term time, use of data and the role of the Magistrate. 

Centenary Conference which is open to members only commences at 2pm on Tuesday 23rd May at Arden Hotel (near Birmingham International Station). Ends Wednesday 24th May at 4pm.

The Association for Education Welfare Management (AEWM) and its membership has worked for 100 years to protect children’s education by seeking to improve pupil attendance at school, using both statutory action and support to parents, children and schools.

The AEWM believe that every day at school counts to ensure that children maximise their life chances. The AEWM therefore welcomes today's Supreme Court judgment of the allowing the appeal from the Isle of Wight against Mr Platt. The court was clearly of the view that children have to attend school every day and there are consequences when parents do not ensure the attendance of their children.

This case has raised many issues relating to fairness and reasonableness and therefore we are urging the DfE to review current guidance on the issuing of penalty notices in relation to non attendance that ensures consistency of approach across the country. The AEWM will continue to offer support to the DfE in the development of policy and procedures that will improve children's attendance at school.