Evaluation of Education Welfare Service (EWS) Support for Persistent Absence: Welsh Government response

This thematic report was commissioned by the previous Cabinet Secretary for Education through Estyn's 2025 to 2026 remit letter. It examines how effectively Education Welfare Services (EWSs) support schools, pupil referral units (PRUs), parents and carers to address persistent absenteeism. The review draws on evidence from discussions with 9 local authorities, 21 primary schools, 18 secondary schools and 6 all-age schools, together with inspection evidence and documentation reviews which was carried out between January and July 2026. 

The report found that Education Welfare Services provide valued support to schools, pupils and families, particularly where strong relationships exist between Education Welfare Officers, schools and partner agencies. However, significant variability in practice, workforce capacity pressures, reliance on short-term funding and inconsistent strategic use of attendance data limit the overall effectiveness of services in reducing persistent absenteeism. The report highlights the importance of early intervention, sustainable funding, stronger national guidance and improved data systems to support more consistent and effective attendance improvement across Wales. The report makes 3 recommendations for Welsh Government and 5 for Local Authorities. 

Recommendation 1

Welsh Government should:

Update and consolidate guidance for local authorities and schools including the 'All Wales Attendance Framework', 'Belonging, Engaging and Participating', and 'Inclusion and Pupil Support' to provide clearer, more comprehensive support and promote greater consistency of practice across Wales in addressing persistent absenteeism.

Welsh Government response:

Accept. Officials are progressing work to review and align existing attendance and inclusion guidance. This work will support greater consistency in practice across Wales and reflect current policy priorities regarding attendance, inclusion and learner wellbeing.

Recommendation 2

Welsh Government should:

Establish a sustainable multi-year funding model and consistent national oversight of attendance and welfare services to support effective practice, address inconsistencies and reduce persistent absenteeism.

Welsh Government response

Accept in principle. Welsh Government will consider the findings as part of ongoing discussions regarding future funding arrangements for attendance and welfare services and explore options for strengthening national oversight and consistency of provision.

Recommendation 3

Welsh Government should:

Strengthen national data systems and guidance to support timely and deeper analysis of attendance patterns ensuring data is robust, comparable and routinely published to support monitoring and improvement. 

Welsh Government response:

Accept. Officials will continue work to improve attendance data collection, reporting and analysis, supporting earlier identification of attendance issues and enabling better monitoring of trends and outcomes at national and local levels.

Local Authorities should:

Recommendation 4

Improve the consistency of Education Welfare Services by providing clear guidance, effective monitoring of provision and workforce capacity, and the sharing of effective practice.

Recommendation 5

Strengthen early intervention and preventative support.

Recommendation 6

Strengthen the strategic analysis and use of attendance data to support timely decision-making, identify patterns and trends in attendance, including for specific groups of pupils, enable early identification of concerns, and inform targeted interventions to improve pupil engagement and outcomes. 

Recommendation 7

Improve communication and engagement with families.

Recommendation 8

Strengthen guidance and apply consistently to clarify expectations for statutory escalation and enforcement. 

Welsh Government response:

Officials will engage with local authorities requesting their response to the recommendations directed at them and will encourage consideration through existing attendance and inclusion networks. Welsh Government will continue to facilitate the sharing of effective practice identified through Estyn's findings.

The full report can be accessed on estyn website, and was published on 17 September 2026.