When a young person is struggling with their mental health, attendance isn’t simply a matter of “turning up.” For some families, every morning can feel like a mountain. What makes the difference is a school that listens, works alongside them, and, above all, doesn’t judge. 

Recently, an ex-student shared that the most important support they received was having a safe room and a trusted adult they could access at any time during panic attacks. An after-school group also helped motivate them to attend, and teachers who understood their needs, such as not asking for homework in front of others, made school feel manageable again. 

Their parent echoed just how vital that support was.
They described the fear of navigating their teenager’s anxiety and the relief of having someone at school they could talk to openly without feeling judged. Working together allowed them to slowly move from days spent curled up in bed to re-establishing a school routine. The message was clear: school worked with us, not against us. 

The family spoke about a “circle of trust” where ideas could be shared, challenges understood, and escape routes put in place when things became overwhelming. Staff recognised when their teenager needed space, when they needed to go home, or when arriving later would make the day possible. This gave the young person ownership of their challenges and confidence in managing them. 

Part of this journey meant simply being there, making home visits when they were needed, and spending quiet moments in school where I would sit alongside the young person until they felt ready to talk. Our conversations always began with how they really were, not what I hoped or expected to hear. That steady, honest presence helped build the trust that made progress possible. 

An invaluable keyworker also provided consistent, compassionate support, someone the student trusted, someone who checked in regularly, and someone who knew when to step in during moments of crisis, including during exams. For the parents, this relationship offered a sense of safety: knowing their child had a sanctuary within school. 

In their words, “School provided an invaluable service to us as a family. We are indebted to them for helping our child through their GCSEs and onto their next stage of life.” 

Watching this young person go on to complete their A levels and move to university has been a privilege, a reminder that with the right support, compassion, and partnership, young people can and do find their way forward. 

Families facing mental-health-related attendance difficulties are not failing. They are often doing their absolute best under enormous pressure. When schools respond with understanding, the right support, and a complete absence of judgment, the impact can be life changing. 

Working together, with families and with the right agencies, helps children feel safe, helps parents feel supported, and helps whole families move forward. No one should have to struggle alone. 

Behind every attendance figure, there is a story. Progress can be slow, but with the right support and patience, young people can find their way back into school, and we mustn’t forget the staff who work tirelessly to make that possible. 

Within our Trust Schools, we aim to provide the right support, understanding, and partnership so that we can make lives better, for young people, their families, and the staff who care for them.