School Refusal

Teachers play a crucial role in student wellbeing. Often teachers might be unaware of concerns relating to each child due to high class numbers or student disengagement. Always reach out to a students teacher to help them understand what is challenging the student with the intention to work together to support the student.

Year Advisors are responsible for the wellbeing of the students in their year group. The year adviser is often the first person to contact when there are concerns.

Student Support Officers (SSOs) work in schools to enhance the wellbeing and learning outcomes of students. They come from a diversity of backgrounds. An SSO may have a diploma or higher qualification in social work, youth work or other related discipline such as community service. They all have experience working with young people to improve their wellbeing and mental health. SSOs work closely with the school counselling service and the school’s wellbeing team. SSO’s can be a lifeline for students at school offering a safe space to be heard and respected. Reach out to your school SSO and find out how they are working with students in your school.

School Learning and Support Officer (SLSO) works under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher. They provide assistance to students with disability and additional learning and support needs. If your young person has a diagnosis such as ADHD, ASD, dyslexia or other it is good to reach out to the SLSO to discuss special provisions during exams and student individual learning plan (ILP), also known as and Individual Adjustment Plan or Individual Education Plan, see example template here.

Learning and Support Team (LST) Every school has a learning and support team. The LST collect data and provide recommendations for students who need adjustments to access the curriculum and meet their educational goals. They play a key role in meeting the specific needs of students with disability and additional learning and support needs are met.

School Counsellors can help students who are having difficulties at school or home. They can also help families to access services outside school if needed. School counsellors are qualified teachers who have a degree in psychology and post graduate qualifications in school counselling. Use them!!

Senior psychologist education (SPE)’s coordinate and professionally supervise a team of school counsellors and school psychologists to deliver high quality psychological services to schools. They work closely with schools, other members of educational services teams and agencies to improve student learning and wellbeing outcomes. Some schools have psychologists on premises, others do not. Regardless, psychologist support is available. Use it!!

That special connection. If your young person has a connection with a teacher or staff member at school, nurture it. Encouraging positive relationships can assist student’s feeling of belonging.

Consider bringing a parent/carer advocate to school meetings. Meeting with school officials can be daunting and often parents feel disempowered to advocate for their young person for many reasons including not wanting to ‘rock the boat’, being unaware of options offerd by the Department of Education and feeling pressured to make decisions without understanding the situation. Advocates can come in the form of friends, teachers, case workers. See this link for information provided by the NSW Department of Education

Additional Needs in high school Find out more about how your child can be supported at your local public high school.

NESA (NSW Standards Authority) now have a user friendly website for parents and students. Students can now easily see the connections between their subject choices in Year 11 and 12 and the opportunities awaiting them after school. Students can use the overviews to help with Year 11 and 12 subject selection and planning for life after school.

RoSA (Record of School Achievement) The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) issues the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) to eligible students who leave school before completing the Higher School Certificate (HSC). This link will give you a better understanding of expectations and “N” awards.

Education NSW Government Information for parents and carers to support students including learning and wellbeing resources, advice, study skills, support for additional needs, and more.

Start with your school Let them know of any issues, diagnosis, trauma that might be concerning your young person. Teachers, principles, assistant principles, student support officers, school counsellors, student learning support officers, wellbeing teachers. They are provided by the school to support every young person and work with families to achieve this. Check the NSW Dept of Education website page ‘Who can support my child in high school’.

Talk with your GP if you have an ongoing relationship with a GP, ask them what their advice is for this situation. Chances are that there are many other parents/carers they see who have similar concerns. The benefit of this is they will have local knowledge.

Do you have a paediatrician or similar to talk with? If you have an upcoming appointment with a paediatrican or other child health professional, talk with them if you are having concerns about school attendance. It might be that they can work with your young person to better understand the core reason for not wanting to attend school.

Phoenix House provides flexible education programs for young people with very specific and challenging needs. They offer a range of courses to enhance learning and living skills aimed at helping young people re-engage with formal education.

Study Without Stress program at Macquarie University The Study Without Stress (SWoS) program equips students with knowledge and practical tips on how to approach and overcome the stress associated with heavy workload and exams in the final years of high school.

Students are encouraged to participate in the program before stress has reached a severe level, but the program can be beneficial at any time. The program uses CBT techniques to help participants get the most out of their final years at school while keeping stress to a manageable level.

Youth Up Front support young people to explore, experience and achieve their own success when preparing for exiting school. For some this is earlier than others but the space between adolescence and adulthood is more complicated than ever for a young person to navigate. At the YUF we aim to support young people with the tools to navigate the road ahead and be their best self in doing so!

TAFE NSW offers pathways and in school training. TAFE has much to offer young people it is a good idea to have a look at their website and reach out to them if you have any questions.

Beyond Blue Supporting a student returning to school. A clear and well understood return to school plan between a student, parents or carers and the school can be a useful tool in addressing school refusal.

Headspace - understanding school refusal. This link gives practical information, strategies and support to parents and carers of young people who are finding attending school distressing.

raisingchildren.net.au School refusal is when children get extremely upset at the idea of going to school and often miss some or all of the school day. This distress doesn’t go away. Follow the link for more understanding, strategies and information.

Reach Out has some great information too.

REMEMBER TO LISTEN TO YOUR INSTINCTS. IF YOU ARE UNSURE, REACH OUT TO SOMEONE. YOU CAN CALL THE EPIC PEER PARENT PHONE LINE. WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE ANSWER HOWEVER WE CAN HELP YOU UNPACK THE SITUATION 0426 425 164

EPIC Conversations Podcast - Student Support Officer with Sam, School SSO

b2b PARENTING Hear from parents about what it is like to live in their world, why they make the decisions they make and be inspired to bring more understanding to your own family life.

EPIC Walks as the meetings, are inclusive spaces for parents and carers of young people who are or have been school attendance challenges. Many EPIC members have travelled this path with their young person and are willing to share their hindsight and information.

EPIC Parent Program provides connection with other parents and carers of young people who are facing challenges and/or choosing risky behaviour. The EPIC Parent Program is a 5 session program that builds understanding, knowledge and confidence to better support your young person, your family and yourself. EPIC is aware of the isolation and powerlessness parents/carers experience when their teens are facing challenges. The program is peer led and offers connection, hindsight and confidence in supporting yourself and your young person.