Referrals to EWS

Referral criteria:
The law says:
Schools, including independent schools, must notify the LEA (CEA@Islington) if a pupil attends irregularly or is continuously absent without authorisation for ten or more school days.
The definition of ‘irregularly’ will of course be dependent on individual circumstances relating to the child and family, but generally CEA@Islington consider the following factors:

  • attendance of less than 75% in any one term;

  • a pattern to the absence;

  • the absences being unauthorised (or a doubt as to whether the school should authorise)

  • absence requiring consideration of taking pupil off roll thus requiring  reference to the EWS.

There is an expectation that the school will have made serious attempts to contact the family before referring to the EWS and not been satisfied with the response.

The EWS will also accept referrals where:

  • access to education is threatened through the breakdown in, or lack of, a relationship between the school and home;

  • the pupil is under threat of permanent exclusion;

  • there is a role to play in ensuring good communication between parents and school in relation to SEN.

Making referrals
Referrals can be made at any time to the EWS, in writing, by fax, in person to the EWO or verbally by telephone. Schools will have copies of the official referral form. If you make a verbal referral, the member of staff accepting the referral will fit your referral to the form and send a copy back for your records. It is, of course, preferred that you complete the form to ensure accuracy.

See letter to Headteachers explaining EWS Service to Schools

For more information please contact either:

Sue Greenwell
Senior Education Welfare Service Team Manager
Laycock Street
London N1 1TH
Tel: 020 7527 5621
e-mail: sue.greenwell.cea@islington.gov.uk

or

Ian Norman-Bruce
Head of EW&SWS
CEA@Islington
Lough Road
London
N7 8RH
Tel: 020 7527 5843
E-Mail: ian.norman-bruce.cea@islington.gov.uk