Submission to Senate Inquiry on the national trend of school refusal and related matters
The Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) is one of Australia's leading research and policy centres focused on understanding and addressing childhood inequities.
Our CCCH Senate Inquiry School Refusal Submission focuses on solutions that enhance school engagement starting from birth to 12 years old. It recognises that prevention and early intervention during these years lay the foundation for future educational participation.
The Submission acknowledges that poor mental health and wellbeing are significant drivers of school refusal and that children who experience diverse learning needs, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or learning difficulties, plus children living with chronic conditions, are at increased risk of school refusal.
We believe that innovative solutions are necessary and available to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children, increase children's engagement with school and realise the immediate and long-term benefits on health, development, wellbeing, education and engagement outcomes.
We recommend a combination of approaches, also known as 'stacking', to ensure children have what they need to engage in learning, starting form birth through to primary school and beyond.
Submission date: March 2023
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