This ebooklet outlines practical strategies to empower teachers and others to help prevent and reduce the incidence of children who can’t summon the physical and emotional resources to go to school. The ebooklet highlights trauma-informed, relationship-based learning approaches to help teachers and schools build a wellbeing climate that promotes the skills and confidence needed for regular attendance and re-engaging the child with school. Several intervention strategies for teachers, schools and families are included to assist the at-risk child to overcome their reluctance to regularly attend. In addition, an intervention plan for psychologists to assist chronic non-attenders to return to school is included.

Relevant strategies can be easily adapted to be included in the student’s Attendance or Return-to-School Plans, Individual Learning Plans and in the recommendations section of psychologist’s reports.

These strategies are designed for use with students in primary and junior secondary schools.