Closed petition Train Education Workers on School Refusal (condition) to stop the fines

Closed on 30 July 2019

People who work in schools and education are actioning poor attendance through the penalty system as they don’t see School Refusal as a mental health issue. We would like to see staff trained to recognise & act accordingly as mental health is not a punishable condition and shouldn’t lead to fines.

SRSS was set up to support families enduring the crisis of their child’s EXTREME daily anxiety. Staff misinterpret what they see & instead treat it as truancy. Staff need to be trained in the differences, have skills to support families, recognise the child's needs, work with families & allow time for a mental health Referrals to CAMHS (who are in crisis) without fines. A plethora of feedback from parents suggests that undiagnosed spectrum conditions underpin School Refusal.