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.
We offer peer-support for family members, and we share advice for young people, and professionals.
We share resources to help you make decisions, find solutions, & take positive steps for your family.
We work alongside other organisations to campaign for change and raise awareness of related issues.
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.
by Hull Parent Carer Forum
by Anna Cottrill
"Support children, don’t sanction parents"
"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 "
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Cambridge and Oxford universities report on the findings of a survey completed by 17,000 school students.
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
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.
Clinical Psychologist, Naomi Fisher writes about her own experience of being a 'school refuser'
Research by Dr Richard Armitage
SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE shared this really helpful article written by Susan Lenihan, about reasonable adjustments that can be made in school
A Schools Week article reporting upon the experience of families and schools who seek help for children & young people.