I recently had the opportunity to share my experience as a mother of a school-refusing teen in The Guardian. Our journey began in early 2021 when my son, who is recently diagnosed autistic and transgender, stopped attending school. For three and a half years, he stayed home, receiving one-to-one tutoring, thanks to EHCP. It was an incredibly isolating time, but with patience and the right support, we made it through.
Moving from London to Derbyshire helped us find a school that truly listened and supported our family—without fines or pressure. In September 2024, my son finally returned to school, and we’re grateful for the understanding and flexibility that made it possible.
School refusal is complex, and as highlighted in the article, many families struggle due to a lack of resources. I hope more conversations like this lead to greater awareness and better support for children and parents facing similar challenges.
You can read the full article here: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/21/parents-on-why-their-children-are-missing-school-england
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