ABSTRACT
Local authorities have considerable statutory obligations under the Education Act 1944, as amended by subsequent Education Acts, to provide and maintain an efficient education service and to ensure that parents, guardians and others caring for children meet their obligations in respect of the children's education. Every local education authority's (LEAs) has a team of education welfare officers (EWOs) part of whose responsibility is to follow up irregular attendance and to seek to improve it. EWOs role has not developed greatly from that of the school attendance officer, whilst in others they are recognized as social workers within the educational system. An education supervision order will cease to have effect after one year or when the child reaches school-leaving age, but may be extended on application to the court for up to three years. School exclusions are regulated under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
