The Children’s Commissioner has released a report https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/spotlight-on-children-with-send-mental-health-missing-from-education documenting the concerns they have that there is a cohort of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (‘SEND’) who are not getting their needs met in school and then failing to attend. They are also concerned by the rise in mental health issues for young people.
School absences have increased from one in ten in 2019, to one in five in 2022.
It is possible that homeschooling and anxieties born from COVID-19 also added to this increase.
The Commissioner calls for increased mental health support throughout all schools and SEND provisions to be reformed at a quicker pace than scheduled.
Are you concerned about your child in relation to SEND and/or mental health challenges? I am experienced in these areas and also provide support in relation to school refusal.
I am a child psychotherapist (UKCP Registered); a counsellor; arts and play therapist, covering Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. You can contact me here.