Educational Welfare Services Tusla (Roscommon)

The main work of an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) is around the welfare of the child and the family and on ensuring that concerns and problems are dealt with before school attendance becomes a crisis issue. We have a model of work which involves carrying out an initial screening on the referral after it is allocated to the designated EWO. This involves speaking to all those involved with the child / family. We then agree a target / intervention plan for the child / family and we set up agreed methods of reviewing these targets.

However, if a parent fails in his or her duty to ensure that their child attends school, then the EWO has the power to take legal action against the parent under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000.

Taking legal action against a parent or guardian is a very serious matter. It is an action of last resort when all other offers of support have failed and the parent has refused to co-operate with the EWO.

Imposing a sanction on parents or guardians for non-attendance is the responsibility of the local District Court in each case having heard all the evidence including that of the EWO and the parent/guardian. The law provides that upon conviction either a fine or up to one month’s imprisonment, or both, be imposed.