School Refusal Course

Description

School refusal is exhausting. Many families feel stuck in a loop of distress, conflict, and uncertainty about what to do next.

This self-paced course is designed for parents and carers who want a clear, structured pathway. It draws on CBT-informed strategies commonly used to reduce anxiety-driven avoidance and support gradual re-engagement with school.

What you’ll get

• 10 lessons you can work through in order

• practical tools you can use straight away (templates, checklists, scripts)

• a step-by-step approach to building a gradual return plan

• guidance on communicating with your child and the school without escalating distress

Who this is for

This course is for parents and carers supporting a child who:

• is refusing school or becoming increasingly distressed about attending

• is stuck in a pattern of avoidance that is getting harder to shift

• needs a paced, practical plan rather than generic advice

This may not be the right fit if

• your child is at immediate risk of harm, or you need urgent mental health support

• you need 1:1 clinical care rather than parent education and planning

In those situations, seek local services first, and return to the course when things stabilise.

How it works

You can start at any time. Most families do one lesson per week so there’s time to practice between modules. You can revisit any lesson whenever you need.

10-lesson overview

Lesson 1: what school refusal is, why it happens, and how the cycle gets stuck
Lesson 2: signs, patterns, and knowing when to seek extra support
Lesson 3: creating a gradual return plan using small, manageable steps
Lesson 4: parental accommodation patterns and how to rebalance support
Lesson 5: having difficult conversations and reducing conflict at home
Lesson 6: anxiety skills, thinking traps, and steadier responses under stress
Lesson 7: bullying and social stressors, what to do and what to ask schools for
Lesson 8: gaming and avoidance loops, boundaries and routines that work
Lesson 9: practical parenting strategies that reduce escalation and build resilience
Lesson 10: staying the course, setbacks, and maintaining progress over time

What outcomes to expect

You should finish with a clearer understanding of what is driving the refusal, a practical plan you can implement, and calmer language for difficult moments and school conversations. Progress is rarely linear. Setbacks are normal. The aim is steady movement and reduced distress, not perfection.

Access

Access is provided via your account login. You can return to the lessons and resources at any time while the course remains available on this site.

Safety and scope

This course is educational and does not replace individual mental health care. If you’re worried about immediate safety or significant distress, please seek urgent local support alongside the course.

 

If you’d like a calm, step-by-step pathway you can follow, you can enrol now and start with the Introduction.

Enroll now and unlock a world of support, knowledge, and hope for your family.