About the event
Understanding School Refusal: Strengthening Family and School Partnerships
School refusal is a growing concern impacting students across Australia. Whether gradual or sudden, this behaviour reflects a student’s emotional distress around school attendance. It can be triggered by anxiety, learning challenges, social pressures, or changes in the home environment.
School Refusal & Family Partnership: Schools are actively seeking ways to address school refusal and work in genuine partnership with families to support students in attending school regularly. This webinar is an opportunity to come together, to build shared understanding and solutions.
The aim of this webinar is to discuss: what school refusal looks like, how it affects students and families, and most importantly, what parents, carers, school communities, and educators can do to support their students to re-engage with school in a way that feels safe, supported and sustainable.
Led by Dianne Giblin (CEO of ACSSO) and Nikki Bonus (CEO of Life Skills GO), this session offers a compassionate, collaborative space to unpack a complex issue that affects entire school communities.
You’ll Learn:
How to recognise early signs of school refusal across different ages and stages
What students may be experiencing emotionally – and why validation matters
Practical ways for families to support regular school attendance
Strategies for working in partnership with schools to identify and reduce the barriers
When to seek additional support – and where to find it
Why Attend?
Learn what school refusal really means and how it differs from school avoidance or defiance
Connect with a wider network of parents, carers, and educators facing similar challenges
Empower yourself with strategies to support your young person
Who Should Join?
This webinar is designed for families, parents and carers, as well as anyone in the school community supporting student wellbeing. It is especially relevant for:
Parents and carers of students aged 5–18 who are struggling to attend school regularly
Family members and carers seeking guidance, understanding and practical strategies
Educators and school leaders wanting to strengthen partnerships with families
Wellbeing staff and support workers looking to deepen their understanding of school refusal and its impact on families
Can’t Attend Live?
Register anyway – we’ll send you the full webinar recording so you can watch it at a time that suits you.