AQW 7475/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education (i) how many cases are currently waiting to be allocated to an education welfare officer; and (ii) how long each case has been waiting.
Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 26 February 2024
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 26 February 2024
- Answer due by
- 12 March 2024
- Answered
- 7 March 202410 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Education Authority have confirmed that as at 27 February 2024, there are 1,586 unallocated cases.
| Unallocated Open Cases – Waiting Time | Number of Cases |
| Band A: 0 – 2 weeks | 275 |
| Band B: 3 – 12 weeks | 458 |
| Band C: 13 – 36 weeks | 214 |
| Band D: 37 – 60 weeks | 458 |
| Band E: 60+ weeks | 181 |
| Total | 1,586 |
The service has been subject to industrial action since May 2021 and this, together with increased levels of need, have impacted on the service’s waiting list. Cases on the waiting list are subject to active ongoing triage and reprioritisation by Senior Education Welfare Officers.