5. Information for Schools

SCHOOL IS CENTRAL IN PREVENTION, EARLY IDENTIFICATION, AND CONTINUING MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL AVOIDANCE.

5. 1 SIGNS THAT MAY BE OBSERVED IN SCHOOL:

Most young people are occasionally reluctant to go to school or have some anxiety about certain activities. School avoidance, however, is a more persistent problem that might be characterised by some of the following;

• frequent complaints of illness before or during school, such as stomach aches, headaches, dizziness or fatigue (These problems often quickly fade if the young person is allowed to stay home)

• difficulty attending school after weekends or holidays

• long, unexplained absences from school

• periodic absences or missed classes for which no explanation is given

• frequent lateness to school or an adolescent who misses the bus every day

• difficulty attending full days

• struggling with breaks and lunch times

• avoidance to separate from parent/guardian/ carer

• evidence of underachieving

Be on the Look Out For:

It is vital that parents/guardians or carers and schools work together to understand the young person’s reason for school avoidance. Open and continuous communication is key to ensure appropriate supports are in place to enable the young person/child to return to full attendance. A school avoidance pathway has been developed to provide a guide for schools and parents/ guardians and carers on the best way to manage school avoidance.