Parents/Carers

Resources for Parents

Supporting Your Child

Headspace

Parents, carers and family can provide vital support for young people when they are having a tough time. headspace is here to help support you through these challenges and transitions.

https://headspace.org.au/services/family/

Beyond Blue

Supporting someone with anxiety, depression or suicidal feelings can make a big difference to them. Support might be talking to someone who’s struggling with their mental health, helping them to get professional support or giving them practical support.

Sometimes it can be hard to know what the ‘right’ thing to do is.

We have practical resources to help you decide what to say and do to help someone feel better. We’ve also got tips for looking after yourself.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/support-someone

Reach Out

Helping you to support them, whatever challenge your teen is facing. Free expert advice, coaching and support for parents and carers in Australia.

https://parents.au.reachout.com/

eSafety Commissioner

Advice for parents and carers to help kids stay safe online

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents?gad_campaignid=22007509104

Friendly Schools

This page offers advice for parents to help them to support their children’s social and wellbeing. The advice is divided into three critical areas:

Social & Emotional Wellbeing, Bullying/Cyberbullying and Cyber Safety

https://friendlyschools.com.au/families/

2Connect Community

We believe in building stronger communities through high quality services, one that empowers people to make positive changes and build a positive future.

https://2connect.org.au/our-services/community-services/

The Family Co.

The Family Co. believes that all children and families deserve a safe home, strong connections and opportunities to thrive. We believe in a world where people feel heard, protected and valued. We’re here to help create positive change, to achieve this, we provide emotional and practical support to individuals and families who work with us.

https://www.thefamilyco.org.au/mission-and-values

Project Youth

As of 2022, Project Youth operates across 23 services divided into 3 streams: Housing and Homelessness, Early Intervention, and Education, Employment and Training. We have over 50 employees and 70 volunteers, and we support young people aged 12-25 in the Sutherland Shire, George’s River, and Bayside areas.

https://www.projectyouth.org.au/

Shire Salvos

Whether you need hope or want to give hope, you’ve come to the right place. The Salvos want to impact your life, our community and our world. No matter where you find us, we think you’ll find friendly people who are excited to get to know you!

https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/shire/

Youth Community Support

Youth services and programs in Sutherland Shire.

https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/living-here/community-support/youth

School Refusal

What is School Refusal?

School Refusal is a complex issue which can become a source of enormous stress for the whole family. That’s why we want to work with you to come up with a plan to support you and your child.

Many children and adolescents are reluctant to go to school at some point, but some find it so difficult that they refuse to go
The term School Refusal is often used when not going is related to a worry or an anxiety
School Refusal can happen at any age, but seems to happen more during major changes in children’s lives like beginning kindergarten or the transition from primary to high school
There is no single cause for School Refusal, and reasons will differ from child to child

What are the impacts?

School Refusal is a serious issue and needs to be managed early. Long absences mean that children miss out on both learning and friendships.

The pattern can very quickly become a habit and very hard to change for children and their families
Missing one day of school each week means 2 full months’ worth of learning lost over a year. This adds up very fast.
Missing out on education can impact a child’s lifelong learning and their social and emotional development in many ways.

It is important to respond:

School Refusal can also be a sign of an emerging mental health difficulty, so it’s important to respond
That stomach ache might not be due to a bug, but a real symptom of your child’s worry about going to school
Research shows that every day absent in high school has an impact on numeracy
Frequent absences might also jeopardise your child’s relationships with their friends
Acting early is the best way forward. Seek help as soon as you are concerned.

Useful Links for Families Struggling with School Refusal

Family Connect & Support www.familyconnectsupport.dcj.nsw.gov.au

Parent Line NSW www.parentline.org.au 1300 1300 52

Kids Help Line (5-25 years) www.kidshelp.com.au 1800 55 1800 NSW

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 headspace (12-25 years) www.headspace.org.au

Raising children Network www.raisingchildren.net.au

Well Mob www.wellmob.org.au

Page updated

Report abuse