Home and family factors that may contribute to difficulties attending school

Home and family factors

Factors associated with the family system may include:

• Separation, divorce or a sense of disharmony within the family dynamics;
• Parental physical and/or mental health challenges;
• The child or young person being a young carer;
• Being the youngest child in the family;
• Experiences of loss or bereavement;
• Elevated levels of stress within the family; and
• Other family members who have also experienced barriers to attendance.

“The most difficult cases are where the student keeps saying, I don't know, and the parents don't know, either- that's quite difficult to work with” (school staff).

“I think the divorce definitely affected him without a shadow of a doubt; I'm not sure bailed out of [school] is the right thing to say, I think he felt too much pressure” (parent).