Make an Enquiry
Contact Us

Hundreds of thousands of children refusing to return to school

The children of more than 440,000 parents across the UK could be refusing to return to school, it has emerged.

Teachers are being advised that specialist help is available for children struggling to cope with going back to school, as a poll has revealed that hundreds of thousands of children could refuse to go while others feel nervous, upset and scared.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “Many children and parents feel anxious about returning to school, so it’s vital they can access support early. See, Hear, Respond is there to help families address challenges such as anxiety, so children can get back to the classroom, and on the road to a positive future.

“Lockdown has been especially hard for vulnerable children who are now facing not only an ‘attainment gap’ but also a ‘trauma gap’ compared to their classmates. BAME communities have been hardest hit by the virus and often have additional concerns about returning to school or work. Specially trained staff from Barnardo’s and other charities are available through our See, Hear, Respond service to support them, and I urge teachers to get in touch if any of their pupils are struggling,” he added.

Barnardo’s warns that:

- Almost a quarter of parents of children aged 18 and under surveyed (23%) say their children are nervous about going back to the classroom

- 4% say their children are refusing to return

- A tenth of parents surveyed by YouGov said their children were scared about it

- 5% said their children are upset about going back to school.

Barnardo’s says there is a ‘trauma gap’ between some pupils who may cope well returning to school and others who may have not been previously vulnerable but are now struggling to cope because of the effects of Covid-19 and the lockdown.


Barnardo’s is leading the England-wide See, Hear, Respond Partnership for teachers who notice any of their pupils experiencing difficulties. The initiative is funded by the Department for Education and was set up to support those who have become vulnerable throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The partnership includes Action for Children, The Children’s Society and 55 local charities.

See, Hear, Respond supports children and young people with anxiety disorders related to bullying, hate crime and racism, or anxiety in general. It provides support to all children, including those moving to secondary school, or who have had fixed term exclusions and may also need significant help.

Trained therapists work closely with children, parents or carers, and their school, to help them get back in the classroom. They can also do group work with classes or specific groups of children.

Action for Children’s See, Hear, Respond Operational Director Kate Isham said: “The pandemic has triggered fear and anxiety for parents and children on a worrying scale, with families telling us they are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain how to navigate the crisis.

“With so many in desperate need of guidance, the See, Hear, Respond service means our frontline staff can help families get back on their feet and tackle the unstable weeks and months ahead with the support they desperately need,” she concluded.

Working Together For Children

Make an enquiry

A multi-disciplinary organisation providing independent, high quality social work, psychological, psychiatric, therapeutic and family support services. Contact us with your requirements and speak to a member of our team who will help you today.
Make an Enquiry

Children First

Sign up to receive our free monthly online resource covering the latest news and developments in the children’s services sector
Children First

Knowledge & Resources

Keep abreast of the latest news in the children's services sector.

A look back at 2022 with WillisPalmer's Head of Practice, Lucy Hopkins…

09/12/2022

2022 saw people trying to get back to some degree of normality following the Covid-19 lockdowns, restrictions and school closures that we had faced for the previous two years. However, the impact of Covid-19 continued and many services experienced, and continue to experience, backlogs and difficulties, including those services relating to children and families.

Social worker [...]
Read Full Story

John Lewis Christmas advert highlights important messages regarding foster care and looked after children

09/12/2022

Every year people are excited to see what the theme of the John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert will be. This year's advert reminded our Head of Practice, Lucy Hopkins, of all the times she arrived at the homes of foster carers with children or young people who were anxious, scared, worried and hungry, having just [...]

Read Full Story

The WillisPalmer Christmas Tree Decorating Competition 2022

09/12/2022
Who Wins..? You Decide!

We have two Christmas trees at the WillisPalmer office and this year the staff upstairs are going to compete with the staff downstairs to see who has the best decorated tree... and we want YOU to decide on the winner!

Tree 1 - Downstairs 

Tree [...]

Read Full Story
Children First is an online resource for professionals working with children presented by WillisPalmer, providing you with the latest news, features and interviews.
Subscribe Today

A Mackman Group collaboration - market research by Mackman Research | website design by Mackman

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram