Building Bridges to School: Navigating Strategies for Overcoming School Refusal

Capability Levels: Evolving and Established

There continues to be a growing need for support for families dealing with School Refusal across Australia. The school closures in recent years have evidently affected a generation.

The most effective solution to changing the School Refusal crisis is for a collaborative approach, and the work of Social Workers is a key part of this.

Learning more on this topic will increase your understanding of what is possible in schools to support a return to school plan, learn what the most effective ways of connecting the individual work you do in this space, and also increase your tool kit with the sharing of some attendance planning resources.

This workshop will give an overview of 2 different models of practice in understanding and addressing school refusal both in the school and in the community.

This presentation will also give you a good dose of the data, review of the recent senate inquiry’s recommendations to dealing with school attendance, and some practical tools you can take away to consider when implementing change with school attendance for your clients.

There will also be some case studies for you to reflect on in small groups, as well as a chance for you to share your expertise and consider solutions for young people, schools, parents, and other professionals.

Who should attend?

This event welcomes a broad spectrum of participants interested in supporting families of children who struggle with school attendance. Whether you're an experienced Social Worker, an Allied Health professional, a Team Leader, an emerging leader in your field, or a student eager to learn, you'll find valuable insights and strategies to enhance your practice and understanding of school refusal in children.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the bigger impact of school avoidance
• Acknowledge how your social work connects to the senate inquiry recommendations on increasing school attendance
• Acquire practical tools and tips to help address school refusal

Event Structure:

Introduction (5 mins)

Mentimeter polls: (20 mins)

Session 1 - John Chellew:

Perspectives from a private practice model (30 mins)

Session 2 - Richard Crawshaw:

Collaboration to enhance school attendance (30 mins)

BREAK 5 - (10 mins)

Session 3 - John Chellew:

Working with Young people, parents & families - (20 mins)

Session 4 - Richard Crawshaw:

Working with families and schools - (20 mins)

Case Study #1 (Post engagement) including Break out room - (20 mins)

Case Study #2 (Neurodiverse) including Break out room - (20 mins)

Debrief 1: (5 minutes)

AASW Credential: Mental Health, Schools SW

This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.