Education Social Work Service (ESWS)

This is a team of education social workers, welfare support workers and administrative staff.

The team is responsible for supporting pupils and schools in maintaining good school attendance, supporting the assessment of pupils with special educational needs and for providing support to pupils, teachers, schools and families where individual or community issues act as a barrier to good attendance and learning.

The ESWS also supports schools, parents and pupils with child protection, behaviour, bullying, education at home and pupil exclusion issues on behalf of the Local Authority.

The LA will arrange to visit a parent thinking about educating their child at home to help them plan the child’s education. They will ensure that the child will receive efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and any special needs.

Other useful information:

Pupil exclusions from school
According to the Education Act 2002, exclusion means to exclude a child from a maintained school on disciplinary grounds. Only the head teacher has the power to exclude a pupil from school. There are two types of exclusion:

• Fixed period exclusion: These exclusions are usually for a short period and include lunchtime exclusions. The pupil returns after the exclusion period has expired. In cases of more than a day's exclusion, work should be set and marked. The law allows head teachers to exclude a pupil for up to 45 school days in any school year.
• Permanent exclusion: This means the pupil cannot return to the school unless re-instated.

If a pupil is permanently excluded from any school, the Local Education Authority (LEA) has the duty to provide other suitable education. This may be a place in another school, a place in the local special educational unit (Pupil Referral Unit or PRU for short), or the LEA may provide home or individual tuition.

Appeals Process: If your child is excluded you have the right to make representations to the school's Governing Body. If the Governing Body uphold a permanent exclusion, you have the right to appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel.

Independent Appeal Panel: In all cases the LEA is responsible for constituting an independent appeal panel, but the panel itself is independent in law. The decision of the panel is binding and can be challenged only by judicial review (all parties) or by complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman (parents only). Parents may wish to appeal against decisions made on areas such as admissions and exclusions.

School discipline and exclusions

Dealing with bullying

Educating your child at home

For further details or enquiries you can email: childrens.services.info@sunderland.gov.uk or telephone us on 0191 520 5555.