When school becomes impossible, behaviour is often telling us something.
When School Feels Impossible helps parents and professionals understand what may be happening behind school avoidance, what can make things worse and what can actually help, grounded in the Welsh education system.
When your child is struggling to attend school, even the simplest things can start to feel overwhelming.
You might be trying to understand what's happening, worrying about attendance, or preparing for another meeting with school without knowing what to say or ask.
I've created these free, practical resources to help you make sense of things and feel more prepared.
They accompany my book, Behind the Behaviour – When School Feels Impossible, but you don't need to have bought the book to use them.
A simple checklist to help you prepare for meetings, ask questions and keep track of what's been agreed.
Prepare for meetings, ask the right questions and keep track of what has been agreed.
Help others understand your child as a person, including their strengths, needs, worries and what helps them feel safe.
A quick introduction to your child as a person: strengths, what makes school hard, what helps them feel safe, early signs of overwhelm and your priorities for support. Fill it in together and share it with school.
If a download doesn't start, open the print version in a new tab.
Practical starting points for contacting schools, requesting meetings and asking about additional support.
A letter or email to request a meeting with school about your child's attendance.
Ask school to talk about a plan that fits what your child can manage right now.
Ask school what support is available and whether your child's needs have been considered.
Ask your local authority what options exist when school attendance has broken down.
A little space to step back, notice patterns and think about what might be happening behind the behaviour.
Step back, notice patterns and think about what might be happening behind the behaviour.
Simple worksheets to help you understand difficulties, explore what helps and agree manageable next steps.
Agree small, manageable next steps as a family and keep track of what helps.
Talk through the psychological, biological, environmental and behaviour pillars to understand what is really getting in the way.
Notice what mornings actually look like, so patterns become easier to see and share.
Plan small, achievable steps back towards school at a pace your child can manage.
Where to turn for help in Wales.
A guide to the support and organisations available to families in Wales.
A little reminder
You know your child in ways that others may not. These resources are here to help you share that knowledge, ask questions and work towards solutions together.
You don't have to have all the answers before asking for help.
Download whichever resources are useful to you. They're free to use.
These resources offer general information and practical guidance. They do not replace individual professional advice or assessment. Support and arrangements will depend on your child's circumstances.
Want new resources as they're released?
Thank you. I'll email you when new resources are added.
"What a fabulous resource in so many ways. Thank you for writing this book and for helping me feel normal and not alone in a situation I never anticipated. I wish I'd had access to this information years ago, but I'm so grateful I have it now. It has given me so much more confidence in the way I'm advocating for my daughter. It has also helped me recognise what I need to do differently for myself. I've had so many 'OMG' moments reading it, and it's given me direction and practical actions I can put in place immediately."
Don't have the book yet?
These resources are designed to be used alongside When School Feels Impossible, where you will find the explanations and guidance for using them.
Buy the bookWhat if the problem isn't that someone can't work – but the way they are trying to work doesn't work for them?
When Work Feels Impossible looks behind the barriers that can make work difficult to start, sustain or return to, and explores different ways of working, including employment, self-employment, flexible and hybrid working.
Because the answer isn't always helping someone fit the work. Sometimes we need to look at how the work can fit the person.
Thank you. I'll keep you updated.
A few lines is plenty. I'll reply within two working days.
