The primary school as a launching pad for early social work intervention

Abstract

The primary school can be seen as a setting which is an ideal launching pad for social work intervention of a type which may be called early, for reasons pertaining to the nature of the setting and of its users. The study will aim to obtain indications of how far social work provision to primary schools in Malta, in the form of education welfare, is amenable to the operation of the concept of early intervention. Four main areas of relevance, namely, staffing levels, communication, detection and the roles of Education Welfare Officers will be examined to this end. The results of interviews with EWOs, heads of schools and teachers will be the main source of information used to throw light on these areas. Suggestions and proposals pertaining to the issues discussed will be put forward.