Education Workforce Council

The principal aims of Council are to:

• contribute to improving the standards of teaching and the quality of learning in Wales
• maintain and improve standards of professional conduct amongst teachers and persons who support teaching and learning in Wales
• safeguard the interests of learners, parents and the public and maintain public trust and confidence in the education workforce

The EWC's main functions are to:

• establish and maintain a Register of Education Practitioners
• maintain a Code of Professional Conduct and Practice for the education workforce
• investigate and hear allegations of unacceptable professional conduct, serious professional incompetence or relevant criminal offences that might call into question a registered practitioner's fitness to practise
• accredit programmes of initial teacher education and monitor their compliance with national criteria
• provide advice to the Welsh Government and others on matters related to the education workforce and teaching and learning
• monitor Induction and hear Induction appeals (where applicable) for teachers
• promote careers in the education workforce
• undertake specific work in relation to teaching and learning at the request of the Welsh Government.

The EWC is funded by practitioner registration fees, but receives grant funding from the Welsh Government for the activities undertaken on its behalf, including to:

• administer the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• administer funding, tracking and recording arrangements for Induction
• develop and host the Professional Learning Passport
• hear Induction appeals and the issuing of Induction certificates
• act as the independent secretariat for the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB)

The Education Workforce Council has fourteen members. Seven members are directly appointed through the Welsh Government public appointments system and seven members are appointed following nomination from a range of stakeholders. Council members are appointed for a period of four years. The Council sets the strategic direction for the EWC, and is responsible for its governance. You can read more about the Council members here.