An Education Supervision Order (ESO) is issued when a local authority believes a child’s education is not being properly supported, and that a court order is needed to ensure compliance.
ESOs are designed to provide a more formal and supported approach to addressing educational issues than simply issuing fines or warnings. They aim to find a solution that supports the child’s education and helps the family comply with attendance requirements.
Who is involved:
An ESO involves the local authority (who will apply for the order), the court, the child’s parent(s), the child, and a supervising officer.
When it’s issued:
The local authority may consider issuing an ESO if they believe a child’s educational needs are not being met and if they are not cooperating with the school and the local authority’s efforts to improve the situation.
What it entails:
The ESO sets out a plan for the child and parent(s) to follow. This plan may include:
- Regular meetings with the supervising officer.
- Support for the child to attend school regularly.
- Guidance and support for parents to understand and address the issues contributing to the child’s educational challenges.
Legal consequences:
If parents do not comply with the directions in the ESO, it can be considered a breach of a court order, which could lead to further legal action