School attendance

If your child doesn't want to go to school, it’s natural to be worried and want to understand why. There may be more than just one reason.

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School attendance

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Help your child with changes in their attendance

Be mindful of your language – saying your child “refuses” to attend school assumes that they are making a conscious decision to do so and is inconveniencing others. Saying they are unable to attend allows you to seek causes and solutions without blame.
Don’t force your child back to school, punish or shame them – this will only make their experience more stressful and traumatic
Work with your child – identify the barriers or struggles they are facing and work together to find appropriate support and solutions.

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Looking for more?

For further information and guidance to support your childs school attendance please visit the following links

NHS – is my child too ill for school?

NHS – How to support a child who doesn’t want to go to school

Young Minds – A guide for parents, school anxiety and refusal

Anna Freud – anxiety resource for pupils

Not Fine in School

Time to reflect

When thinking about how to encourage your child to go to school

What are you already doing that you want to carry on doing?

What have you learned that you could try today?

What do you want to do next?

Know what you want to do next?

Log into your free account (on the top right-hand side) to set a goal on something that is important to you and your family – then you can check in to show yourself how far you’ve come.

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