Image of a teenage boy standing at his counter, looking sad.

School refusal and teenagers

Being the parent or carer of a teenager who refuses to go to school can be incredibly challenging, and can put a strain on your relationship with them and your family's home life.

Check out some of these articles to find information and tips on how to manage school refusal, and how to find support.

How to help a teen who doesnt want to go to school

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.

Family sitting down talking

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.

Georgia and her mum angela

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.

Father and daughter sitting at desk 2

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.

Youth and parent sitting down on bed

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?

author lucy clark school pressure

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.

author lucy clark school pressure

How to tackle the school system

Learn how to handle the ongoing pressures of school.

A younger teenager sitting and smiling with his peers

Your checklist to help your teen transition to high school

A checklist for parents to help with the transition from primary to high school.

Related topics

Anxiety in teenagersBullying and teenagersHow to help my teenager struggling with school
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              Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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