Individual factors that may contribute to difficulties attending school

Individual factors

Individual factors may include:

• Relationships with peers and / or adults including difficulties with social interaction and / or establishing and maintaining friendships with peers;
• Fear of failure;
• Low self-esteem and/or confidence;
• Physical illness or medical needs;
• Unidentified or unmet communication needs;
• Difficulties with learning;
• Unidentified or unmet learning needs;
• Unidentified or unmet social, emotional or mental health needs;
• Difficulties separating from parent/s or carer/s;
• Increased academic demand; and
• Managing social demands.

When I was at the end of Year 11, I was more ill and I missed nearly all of my last year of school (young person).

“He can't identify what the problem is; he says it's not the school as he doesn't want to go to any school. He can't identify to anybody what the issue is at all” (school staff).

“I know that encouraging him to get out of bed when he’s really tired and getting him into school is probably the best thing long term. But equally that day he’ll be destroyed and he’ll be on edge” (parent).

They're already struggling with enough: They're going through exams, they're going through a lot of stress. Like young people in general, have got so much to face. They're scared of having to grow up and face so much (young person).

"The school, the way they teach, they go over stuff three or four times, I think to try and reinforce it, but he's not interested by the fourth time. So, he needs something to keep him interested and engaged in the school and in the lessons" (parent).