Education social work or education welfare is a form of social work that supports the education of vulnerable and marginalised pupils and combats social exclusion. Education social work is one of the oldest forms of public welfare provision, dating back at least to the Education Act 1870 and the extension of compulsory education through local school boards. Whether such work is social work is a matter of some debate, not always resolved by the title chosen by the local education authority (LEA) for its particular service. There is no national standard or qualification.Formal social work qualification is not a requirement in most current services, although some LEAs seek to appoint only such staff.