Only a small minority of schools in the 16 authorities that are piloting the system have seen a sustained reduction in absences, the researchers say. They examined attendance at about 100 secondaries and found that between the spring terms of 2000 and 2001, the figures improved in 22 (by an average of 1.9 percentage points) and declined in 80 (1.7 percentage points).

Between the autumn terms of 1999 and 2000, attendance declined in 57 schools (1.25 percentage points), and improved in 42 (0.9 points).

Nevertheless, nine of the 16 education welfare service managers interviewed for the study, which was commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills, said that devolution had enabled them to provide a better service. They expected attendance to improve in future.

All the secondary staff who were interviewed by the researchers also believed that devolution had improved communication and relationships with education welfare officers (EWOs). However, the school-based EWOs themselves sometimes felt isolated and were concerned that they were focusing too much on attendance at the expense of their social welfare role.

Two education welfare managers in authorities with the highest levels of devolved staffing (50 to 60 per cent) thought some people needed to return to the central office to ensure primary schools were adequately covered. Although some primary heads said they were receiving a better service, most felt that they were receiving less welfare support as EWOs were covering at least one secondary school and up to 26 primaries.

Anat Arkin

“An evaluation of the devolution of education welfare service to secondary schools: the first year”, by Mary Atkinson, Karen Halsey, Kay Kinder and Anne Wilkin, is available for pound;11 (including postage) from the Publications Unit, NFER, The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, SL1 2DQ.Email: book.sales@nfer.ac.uk