Not Fine in School is a parent/carer-led organisation set up in response to the growing number of children and young people who struggle with school attendance. This is often inaccurately and unfairly referred to as 'school refusal', instead we prefer to use the terms 'school attendance problems' & 'school attendance barriers'. These problems and barriers often relate to unmet Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (diagnosed or suspected), bullying, trauma, excessive levels of academic pressure, physical illness, or mental illness. School attendance problems and barriers are poorly understood, are compounded by current challenges within education and health systems, and can have severe consequences for both child and family.
What we do
Support
Empowerment
Empowerment
We offer peer-support for family members, and we share advice for young people, and professionals.
Empowerment
Empowerment
Empowerment
We share resources to help you make decisions, find solutions, & take positive steps for your family.
Awareness
Empowerment
Awareness
We work alongside other organisations to campaign for change and raise awareness of related issues.
PETITION: Protect Article 8 of The Human Rights Act for SEND Families
PETITION: Protect Article 8 of The Human Rights Act for SEND Families
PETITION: Protect Article 8 of The Human Rights Act for SEND Families
PETITION: Protect Article 8 of The Human Rights Act for SEND Families
PETITION: Protect Article 8 of The Human Rights Act for SEND Families
PETITION: Protect Article 8 of The Human Rights Act for SEND Families
LAs stop misusing safeguarding legislation to coerce families of children with SEND into submission
On August 4th my lawyer is submitting an application to the ECHR to look at the violations which have happened to my family. I will be submitting this petition along with the application to make the statement that this abuse of the law impacts many families and this needs to be addressed.
SCRAP THE SCHOOLS BILL - STOP CRIMINALISING PARENTS
SCRAP THE SCHOOLS BILL - STOP CRIMINALISING PARENTS
SCRAP THE SCHOOLS BILL - STOP CRIMINALISING PARENTS
SCRAP THE SCHOOLS BILL - STOP CRIMINALISING PARENTS
SCRAP THE SCHOOLS BILL - STOP CRIMINALISING PARENTS
SCRAP THE SCHOOLS BILL - STOP CRIMINALISING PARENTS
PETITION: Stop the Schools Bill - don't prosecute when children can't, not won't go to school!
We have added our backing to this petition, please SIGN & SHARE with your networks.
The proposed Schools Bill is currently going through parliamentary process yet many parents, professionals, and politicians have considerable concerns about the potential implications and impacts the Bill will have if enacted in its current form.
SEE OUR RESPONSE TO THE SCHOOLS BILL 2022
Our children: Individuals with hopes, feelings, needs & voices
OTHERS SHARING THE VOICES OF MORE CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
SCHOOL TRAUMA: THE CHILD'S VOICE
by Hull Parent Carer Forum
TEACH ME
by Anna Cottrill
SCHOOL IS NOT MY ENEMY
Not Fine In School Blog
NEWS
IPSEA RESPONSE TO RECENT ATTENDANCE CONSULTATION
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE AMONG MANY CRITICAL OF LGA REPORT
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE AMONG MANY CRITICAL OF LGA REPORT
"Support children, don’t sanction parents"
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE AMONG MANY CRITICAL OF LGA REPORT
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE AMONG MANY CRITICAL OF LGA REPORT
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE AMONG MANY CRITICAL OF LGA REPORT
"Local Government Association takes gaslighting to new heights, claiming SEND failings are everyone's fault but councils'. Also, support for SEND should be much harder to get and it would be, if it wasn't for those meddling (affluent) parents "
SQUARE PEG PRESS RELEASE
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE AMONG MANY CRITICAL OF LGA REPORT
FII AND PERPLEXING PRESENTATIONS
94% OF FAMILIES FEEL SCHOOL HAS HARMED THEIR CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH
A survey carried out by Square Peg and submitted to the DfE’s Consultation on Attendance has revealed an uncomfortable truth about the negative impact current school attendance policy has on children and young people who are struggling.
FII AND PERPLEXING PRESENTATIONS
ONE IN THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY FELT HAPPIER DURING LOCKDOWN
FII AND PERPLEXING PRESENTATIONS
FIONA GULLON-SCOTT & CATHIE LONG
The present article discusses the issues relating to FII and PP, how current guidelines are creating implicit and explicit bias against certain kinds of families and the implications for Social Services.
AUTISTIC GIRLS NETWORK PUBLISH WHITE PAPER
ONE IN THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY FELT HAPPIER DURING LOCKDOWN
ONE IN THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY FELT HAPPIER DURING LOCKDOWN
A new white paper on an internal presentation of autism & why it's often missed. A must-read for everyone who needs to understand autism (which is all of us) and recognise it earlier.
ONE IN THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY FELT HAPPIER DURING LOCKDOWN
ONE IN THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY FELT HAPPIER DURING LOCKDOWN
ONE IN THREE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY FELT HAPPIER DURING LOCKDOWN
Researchers at Cambridge and Oxford universities report on the findings of a survey completed by 17,000 school students.
YOUNG MINDS OFFER TIPS FOR SCHOOLS
NAOMI FISHER: "I WAS A SCHOOL REFUSER"
YOUNG MINDS OFFER TIPS FOR SCHOOLS
SCHOOLS WEEK published this article offering schools 5 tips on how to best support mental health:
1. Always refer
2. Trusted adults
3. Include pupils
4. Be flexible and creative on attendance
5. Help parents feel they aren’t failures
THE SEND MONEY SURVEY
NAOMI FISHER: "I WAS A SCHOOL REFUSER"
YOUNG MINDS OFFER TIPS FOR SCHOOLS
Let Us Learn Too And the Disabled Children’s Partnership surveyed 1,084 parents and carers between November 2021 and January 2022. The results showed the lengths families have to go to to secure adequate support for their children.
NAOMI FISHER: "I WAS A SCHOOL REFUSER"
NAOMI FISHER: "I WAS A SCHOOL REFUSER"
BULLYING IN CHILDREN: IMPACT ON CHILD HEALTH
Clinical Psychologist, Naomi Fisher writes about her own experience of being a 'school refuser'
BULLYING IN CHILDREN: IMPACT ON CHILD HEALTH
SCHOOLS PICK UP PIECES AS CAMHS TURN AWAY SUICIDAL KIDS
BULLYING IN CHILDREN: IMPACT ON CHILD HEALTH
Research by Dr Richard Armitage
REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS
SCHOOLS PICK UP PIECES AS CAMHS TURN AWAY SUICIDAL KIDS
SCHOOLS PICK UP PIECES AS CAMHS TURN AWAY SUICIDAL KIDS
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE shared this really helpful article written by Susan Lenihan, about reasonable adjustments that can be made in school
SCHOOLS PICK UP PIECES AS CAMHS TURN AWAY SUICIDAL KIDS
SCHOOLS PICK UP PIECES AS CAMHS TURN AWAY SUICIDAL KIDS
SCHOOLS PICK UP PIECES AS CAMHS TURN AWAY SUICIDAL KIDS
A Schools Week article reporting upon the experience of families and schools who seek help for children & young people.
