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School refusal. What to do?

28 replies

Victra · 15/01/2020 17:09

Ds15 has not been to school since before Christmas and I don’t know what to do. I have no one in real life to talk to apart from the school and of course they just want him in.

He’s never enjoyed school and his attendance in high school has always been a problem but since September he’s been suffering with bad anxiety and says he has forced himself to go for so long and just can’t do it anymore.

I separated from his abusive Dad end of September so I’m sure that is playing a part, even though he says it’s not that. He wants nothing to do with his Dad and is happy we left. Maybe it’s just the fact that he can finally be open and honest about how he’s feeling without fear of his Dad’s reaction.

The Gp has referred him to CAMHS but it’s a long wait apparently and the school have put him down for counselling but he has to be going to school.

He likes his subjects, has lots of friends, no bullying issues and despite the fact that his attendance is so low he’s still doing really well. It’s just actually being at school that is making him so ill.

The school have given him a part time timetable but he still panics, doesn’t sleep, he’s crying and just won’t go. I can’t force him in but I’m so worried about what he’s missing.

I’ve looked into internet schools but they are just too expensive and I couldn’t home school him myself.

I’m on my own with no help or support and I’m not coping very well with this. I Don’t know what other options there are or if we just need to wait for camhs appointment.

OP posts:
Victra · 15/01/2020 18:05

The gp wouldn't sign him off, she reluctantly referred him to camhs but just advised him to get counselling at school because camhs appointmaent would take forever. The school said that once he has a camhs appointment his absences will be authorised

OP posts:
BubblesBuddy · 15/01/2020 17:36

Could he be persuaded to see the head of pastoral care at school. Clearly the school isn’t making much effort to help. Given the circumstances he is a vulnerable child and should be receiving far more help than this. Perhaps negotiate a reintroduction to part time schooling. Could he go to another school? Your DS isn’t best placed to make his own rational decisions the moment and he needs help to steer him through this current situation. What would make him like school?

He has friends and that’s a great start. Does he still see them? Could they encourage him to go back? I would see the SLT member in charge of attendance and take this further, quickly. Would he go to a Pru?

Dodgeitornot · 15/01/2020 17:15

I would advise you to go to your GP. Explain that he is waiting for CAMHS and due to mental health problems he isn't able to go in. If they sign him off sick the local authority have a duty to provide him with at home tuition as he has already missed so much.

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