Client Case Study
Role: Attendance Lead & Pastoral Lead
Service: TEAM Education Welfare Services
The Context
Our school places care and support at the heart of everything we do to enable students to fulfil their full potential and fully engage with school life. We invest significantly in pastoral provision, including counselling, family work, and off-site support, and we wanted an Education Welfare Service that matched this ethos while helping us push attendance even further.
The Challenge
We previously worked with the Local Authority Education Welfare Service and had a positive relationship with our allocated officer. However, changes to the service meant it no longer met our needs.
We needed:
- Greater flexibility and dedicated time for a small but complex cohort
- Responsive home visits when required
- Expert challenge to help us improve attendance beyond already strong levels
- A service that truly understood our school ethos and priorities
Why We Chose TEAM EWS
TEAM Education Welfare Services came highly recommended by colleagues through the Vulnerable Pupil Panel and other local schools. The feedback was consistent:
“They know their stuff. They’re experts in their field.”
The information pack we received clearly demonstrated impact, with strong examples of improved attendance and reduced persistent absence. Following discussions with colleagues and our Headteacher, we agreed to engage TEAM EWS — a decision we’ve never regretted.
Getting Started
The onboarding process was straightforward and professional. After initial meetings with the Director and our allocated Education Welfare Officer (EWO), visits were quickly arranged. Once access to our MIS was provided, the EWO immediately began reviewing individual cases and whole-school data with minimal input required from us.
We receive regular updates following visits, outlining progress, actions taken, and next steps — clear, timely, and reassuring.
The Impact
The flexibility of the service has been transformational. Our EWO is always available for advice, responds promptly to emails, and can undertake phone calls or home visits even when not on site. This has significantly reduced workload while improving outcomes for students and families.
Key benefits include:
- Bespoke attendance targets tailored to our school
- Targeted work with vulnerable groups and post-16 students
- Expert advice on compliance, safeguarding, and DfE returns
- Attendance at Academic Review Days and meetings with families
- Strong relationship-building across staff, students, and families
Our EWO feels like a member of staff — working closely with Heads of Year, the Attendance Officer, and senior leaders.
Outcomes & Added Value
TEAM EWS has supported complex cases, including referrals to Children’s Services and medical tuition, always providing calm, expert guidance. Their detailed annual report has been praised by Governors and the Headteacher and is now a key document informing our SEF and strategic planning.
During the pandemic, TEAM EWS played a vital role in supporting compliance, safeguarding, and engagement with vulnerable students. Their legislative updates and newsletters remain an invaluable resource we regularly refer to.
Would We Recommend TEAM EWS?
Absolutely.
TEAM Education Welfare Services are professional, caring, flexible, and truly bespoke. They are experts in their field, provide outstanding value for money, and adapt to the changing needs of our school. They are an integral part of our team.