Why Kids Miss School: Key Factors and Approaches
You’re not alone…school attendance is a complex issue
If you’re a parent, carer, or you work with children, you’ve likely faced the challenge of getting a child to school. The emotional, mental, physical, and social impact of this struggle is significant for everyone involved. We all know that every day at school matters, and that regular attendance benefits children, parents, and the broader community. School helps young people gain the skills, knowledge, and attributes they need to thrive in adulthood.
What Keeps Kids from Attending School?
School attendance is a complex issue influenced by relationships, past experiences, health, access to resources, teachers, schools, and community attitudes. It is not an issue that rests solely with the child or family. A recent study by the Australian Education Resource Office (2025) found that certain factors have a more significant impact on school attendance than others.
Major Factors Affecting School Attendance
Health: Both physical and mental health issues, such as chronic pain, asthma, anxiety, and depression, are strongly linked to low school attendance. Health problems can also disrupt sleep, exacerbating the issue. Watch out for major behavioural changes. Over 50% of mental health problems begin in the teenage years.
Differences: Disabilities, speaking English as an additional language, being neurodiverse, having learning difficulties, or identifying as sexually or gender diverse are risk factors for non-attendance. Children with ADHD or autism, especially those with other health conditions, are more likely to be absent. This is largely due to a lack of inclusion and discrimination that they experience, causing an erosion of confidence and trust.
Adverse Childhood Events: Experiences like maltreatment, neglect, or family violence can lead to low attendance, particularly if the child also feels unsafe at school. Often this is expressed through challenging behaviours, which can worsen the issue.
Early School Experiences: Low attendance in early childhood often leads to higher absences in high school. Frequent school changes are linked to lower attendance.
Living Situation: Families with more flexible home arrangements, with one or more parents at home, tend to have children who attend school less. This is especially true since COVID.
Teachers and Schools: Insufficient actions to address bullying at schools and perceived unfairness or lack of care from teachers impacts on attendance.
Ways to Improve School Attendance
If you’re struggling to get your child to school, you’re not alone. It’s important to act early and seek help from health professionals, friends, family, schools, and community groups. Here are some actions that can help.
Connecting with others is a good starting point
Health
Check for underlying physical or mental health problems.
Encourage good sleep habits, physical activity, nutritious eating, and hydration.
Seek advice if there are significant changes in the young person’s health, thoughts, feelings, or behaviours.
Promote self-care activities like hobbies, music, dancing, meditation, or journaling.
Structure and Routine
Create a wind-down schedule for bedtime.
Establish clear and consistent routines and rules.
Create written or visual morning and school routines to reduce stress.
Spend time at the end of the day discussing their school day.
Open Communication
Make time to talk about issues before bedtime or when there is time.
Be curious and avoid rushing to fix problems. Help them explore solutions to build confidence and resilience.
Avoid jumping to conclusions or making judgements. Ask what they think could help.
Hold firm on agreements and rules, balancing clear expectations with love and support.
Get Involved Early
Don’t assume school attendance issues will pass. When parents and teachers collaborate solutions can be identified and applied by all.
Seek out information and opportunities to build your awareness of youth development and mental health.
Community Involvement
Encourage participation in community groups and clubs to boost school attendance and social connections.
Support young people to broaden their interests and social circles.
Know the Teachers and School
Improve communication between home and school.
Be familiar with school and community health and wellbeing programs.
Get to know key people in the young persons life, including available health and wellbeing services .
Look After Yourself
People working with or caring for young people need to take care of your their own health and wellbeing as a priority.
Engage in self-care activities and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Improving school attendance is a journey with ups and downs. Celebrate the wins and don’t dwell on setbacks. Remember, you’re not alone, and it’s not all up to you. Reach out and build a support network around you and your family.
Want to Know More?
School Can’t Australia offers support and resources for parents and carers, providing information based on the lived experiences of those who understand the challenges of school non-attendance.
Orygen, an organisation specialising in supporting young people’s mental health have recently launched a new toolkit that may be useful.
Reference
Melvin, G., McKay-Brown, L., Heyne, D., & Cameron, L. (2025). Barriers to school attendance and reasons for student absence: Rapid literature review. Australian Education Research Organisation. Retrieved from https://www.edresearch.edu.au/research/research-reports/barriers-school-attendance-and-reasons-student-absence