School refusal and teenagers
Supporting a teenager who refuses to go to school can be incredibly challenging and strain family life. Unlike truancy, which means missing school without a reason, school refusal (also known as school avoidance, school can’t or school phobia) typically stems from anxiety, stress or other underlying mental health difficulties.
Check out these resources for information and tips on how to manage school avoidance and finding support.
School refusal and your teen
School refusal is a difficult experience to go through for the whole family. Learn more about school refusal here, including what to look out for and strategies for how to manage it.
Conversation guide: how to talk to your teen about school refusal
This conversation guide can help you create effective communication about school refusal, so you can support your child and help them form a better relationship with school.
How Georgia and her mum Angela coped with school refusal
When Angela's daughter Georgia was 15, she started experiencing anxiety that quickly turned into school refusal. This is Angela and her family's experience of school refusal.
Practical strategies to help you manage your teen's school refusal
Learn more practical strategies you can use to support your child through school refusal, and help them have a better relationship with school.
What happens if my child refuses to attend school in Australia?
School refusal and truancy: who is accountable for what, and can you get into legal trouble?
What do you do when school just isn't working?
Lucy Clarke talks about how school was never going to be the right fit for her daughter.
How to tackle the school system
Learn how to handle the ongoing pressures of school.
Frequently asked questions about school refusal
School avoidance is a growing concern for many families, with reports showing that many students are missing a significant amount of school time. Every situation is unique, and there are many reasons why your teen might be struggling in school. Knowing this is a common challenge can help ease the isolation you are feeling. Support is available, and you're taking the right step by seeking more information.
A good school refusal support plan focuses on genuine support rather than just getting them through the school gate and assuming the issue is resolved. Practical strategies to help manage your teen's school refusal typically include working with your teen and their school to make necessary adjustments, prioritising their mental health, and taking manageable, small steps forward together.
Sometimes, school may not be the best environment for your teen, and it’s important to explore other education options.
There's no set number of missing days that counts as truancy; it varies by state and territory. The key difference is that truancy involves skipping school secretly without a valid reason, while school refusal happens when your teen openly avoids school due to emotional distress, and you're aware of the situation.
It can be helpful to be aware of what may happen if your child refuses to attend school.
Beyond just study and learning, school provides vital social connections, structure, and opportunities for a young person’s growth. While catching up on missed work is possible, the social and developmental aspects of school are harder to replace, making regular attendance beneficial for your teen's overall wellbeing. Learn how to talk to your teen about school refusal to gain a better understanding of the support they need and what options might be best for them.
School anxiety often involves intense worry or fear about attending school. It can manifest as physical symptoms and avoidance behaviours, and this anxiety may eventually develop into school refusal. Recognising these signs early can help you get the right support for your teen. Read more about school refusal and teenagers.