As schools return, how do we keep children attending class?

School refusal is a complex issue and can arise for a variety of reasons including, distress related to attending or remaining at school, attending school-related activities, or not feeling well at school. Child and parent mental and physical health, family functioning, parental school engagement, school and home relationship, and community support may all contribute to school refusal. 

With most schools returning this week, some children will be anxious about getting back into the classroom. The pandemic and the disruption it caused to children's lives and schooling have profoundly impacted children's learning and social and emotional well-being. This has meant that transitions, such as the return to school after the long summer break, can result in more children experiencing anxiety at a greater intensity than previous generations and may lead to children refusing to go to school.