If a child has a very poor attendance record an Educational Welfare Officer may be asked to investigate. EWOs are employed by the local authority and past of their role is to prepare the case if an authority is considering taking legal action against parents or guardians for failing to send children to school. Although there is no obligation on practices to provide information to EWOs, the LMC recommends that GPs should agree to a booked telephone consultation with an EWO under these circumstances because of the implications for the family. However, no information should be shared without the consent of the parents unless there is an immediate safeguarding concern.
