To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 34104/22-27, to detail how members are appointed to Education Authority Education Welfare Service Court Panels.

The responsibility for Court Panels in Education Welfare (EA) is delegated to each Regional Assistant Head of Service by the Head of Services.

Each Panel is chaired by the Assistant Head of Service (EWS) for the relevant EA Locality. The remaining members comprise the Team Leaders for that locality.

The Panel convenes monthly in each of the five areas to consider cases where, despite sustained intervention and completion of Education Strategy and Education Planning Meetings, the required improvements in school attendance have not been achieved.

At each meeting, cases are presented by the relevant Team Leader. The Panel will then decide one of the following outcomes:

Defer the case for further monitoring or intervention,

Request additional updates or information, or

Initiate Court Action, either through:

Family Proceedings (Education Supervision Order – ESO), or

Magistrates’ Court Proceedings (Parental Prosecution).