What Can We Do When School's Not Working?

An increasing number of children are struggling to attend school. The conventional approach prioritises a rapid return to their setting. For some children, this simply doesn't work. They are stuck, not attending school but not learning out of school either. What happens then - and what can we do about it? This illustrated guide lifts the lid on the experiences of children and families who are struggling within the school system and explores how we can work with these young people to maximise their chances of a positive and fulfilled life. The book encourages professionals to take a new perspective and to consider what can be done differently. It explores the ways in which difficulties with school are understood by children, parents, and professionals, and shows how things can go wrong (and right), using real-life examples from a range of settings. Chapters delve into common interventions and the impact these can have in practice, before introducing alternative approaches which have the child at the centre. The voices of young people are foregrounded throughout, shedding light on their struggles with attendance - including when placements have completely broken down - and, importantly, showing how they have gone onto success. Original illustrations are included to bring these ideas to life. Placing authentic experiences at the core, this book offers a valuable insight into the lives of children and families when school has gone wrong and will leave you with new ideas as to how to turn things around. What Can We Do When School's Not Working? is essential reading for professionals working with children who are struggling with school attendance, from SENCOs and educational support workers to educational psychologists, senior leadership teams, and local authorities.

Abigail Fisher is a qualified teacher and educational psychologist. She has worked with schools and local authorities supporting staff and children with a wide range of issues, including children struggling to attend school. Abigail taught in primary schools across London before training as an educational psychologist. Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist and author. She has a PhD in Developmental Psychology (Autism) in addition to her doctorate in clinical psychology, and she specialises in trauma and autism. She runs popular webinars for parents on school distress and works clinically with families whose children are not fine at school. She is recognised as an expert in neurodiversity and alternatives to school. Eliza Fricker is an author and illustrator. She is the mother of a child who experienced barriers to school attendance and gives talks to local authorities about the experience. Eliza also runs a blog focused on anxiety and school attendance issues.

Chapter 1: Not Fine in School Chapter 2: When School Meets Child Chapter 3: Creating Psychologically Healthy School Environments Chapter 3A: Three School Stories Chapter 4: When Things Go Wrong Chapter 5: What Can We Do Instead? Chapter 6: Deciding Not to Go Back to School Chapter 7: School Trauma and Burnout Chapter 8: Working with Children who are Not Attending School Chapter 9: One Step Removed: Indirect Work with Those Not Attending School Chapter 10: What Happens Next? Stories of Hope after School Attendance Difficulties Index