Mission Statement
To act with integrity, fairness, compassion, positive attitude, and a consistent endeavour to respect the rights of others, co-workers, and those we serve. Be accountable to our community, and deliver excellent customer service. Seek to educate citizens; enforcing the law where appropriate; and building collaborative relationships with residents, businesses, education providers, community groups, and local government agencies. We will ensure measurable consistency of enforcement and responsiveness to complaints, provide comprehensive policies, work to the national occupational standards and compliance and provide the highest quality enforcement service to the community.
About the Education Investigation Service
The Education Investigation Service is a statutory investigation and enforcement service on behalf of Dudley MBC in relation to Parental Responsibility Measures for school attendance, behaviour and exclusion and compliance with Registration Regulations for schools, Child Employment & Entertainment in the inspection of business premises, places of entertainment, the licensing of young people to work or take part in certain entertainment, monitoring of elected home education and duties for safeguarding children and young people from exploitation, abuse or trafficking. Education Investigation Officers are required to comply within the same legal parameters as any partner enforcement agency ensuring compliance with professional competencies to support the local community and its citizens.
The educational welfare, the child’s social and educational needs are the responsibility of the school at which the child is enrolled. Education Investigation Officers upon receiving a referral from an education provider will critically review the circumstances involving the school, support agencies, charities, private companies the child and parents involvement in the issues surrounding the complaint from the school.
Where common ground can be found Officers will undertake an option of securing compliance without necessitating to formal legal action through the courts, however, should it prove not to be the case officers may take action by:
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A Fixed Penalty Notice for absence from school, or where a child is identified in a public place whilst excluded up to £100, non payment could result in a fine of up to £1,000 or
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Prosecution in a Magistrates’ Court where you may be fined up to £1,000 for the lesser offence under s444 Education Act 1996, or
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Prosecution under the aggravated offence of s444 (1) (A) Education Act 1996 where you may be fined up to £2,500 and/or up to three months custody or
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Application for an Education Supervision Order by s36 Children Act 1989, breach of the order may on conviction result in a fine of up to £1,000
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Application for a Parenting Order s26 Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, breach of the order may on conviction result in a fine of up to £1,000
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Application for School Attendance Order s443 Education Act 1996, where if you fail to comply and convicted you may be fined up to £1,000
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Prosecution of employers or places of entertainment under associated legislation where if convicted the employer or the producer may be fined up to £1,000
If you fail to attend court on a day that you have been summonsed to attend we may make an application to hear the case in absentia or if the matter relates to the aggravated offence we will in the first instance make an application for a warrant backed by bail and thereafter a warrant without bail to secure your attendance at the court.
Please read the document “Penalty Notices & Prosecutions” at the bottom of this page for more information.
Officers of the service still observe the driving principle that “the welfare of the child is paramount” which is at the centre of the core functions of the work of service.
Schools
The service still provides a bespoke service to schools if required for non statutory related areas please follow the link for Traded Services.
Employment and Entertainment
Please follow the link for the Child Employment Guide.
Contact Details
Enquiry Line - (01384) 814317
Fax number - (01384) 813558
E-mail - eis.cs@dudley.gov.uk or Contact us using our online form
Postal - Education Investigation Service, Westox House, 1 Trinity Road, Dudley, DY1 1JQ
