AQO 233/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 14/03/2024
Answered On Date: 08/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline what action he is taking to address the backlog of cases awaiting allocation to an Education Welfare Officer.

Answer:

My officials have been working with Education Authority officials over the past twelve months on the Business Case that is needed to resolve the on-going industrial action within the Education Welfare Service which is having a negative impact on waiting lists. The Business Case will need to be agreed by the Department of Finance and funding will be required to provide an increase in the size of the Education Welfare Service Team and to resolve the associated pay and grading issues.

Following a Transformation programme conducted in 2021/22, the Education Welfare Service will be taking a much more proactive approach to the management of pupil attendance and all of the associated issues. Once implemented, a transformed Education Welfare Service will provide a timelier, consistent and more effective approach which will support schools and pupils in meeting their specific needs.