Harnessing strengths and relationships to support school attendance
School attendance challenges (School Refusal, School Anxiety, School Can't) can create significant barriers for children and young people, impacting their connection to learning, friendships, and overall well-being. With increasing rates of anxiety in the community, schools are encountering more cases of students experiencing difficulties with regular attendance. Understanding these challenges and responding with compassion, creativity, and collaboration is crucial in supporting every student's journey back to school.
This interactive, one-day workshop adopts a strengths-based and systemic approach to exploring the complexities of school engagement challenges. It provides practical strategies and collaborative frameworks for educators, health professionals, and parents to help children reconnect with school in meaningful ways. Participants will discover how to co-create tailored interventions that reflect the unique strengths, needs, and circumstances of each child, family and educational setting. This workshop offers a holistic understanding of school attendance difficulties and focuses on early identification, flexible responses, and inclusive practices that foster a sense of belonging and resilience.
Topics include:
Understanding the spectrum of school attendance challenges
Recognising the signs and presentations of school disengagement
Exploring the underlying reasons for school avoidance
The role of schools and families in creating supportive, responsive environments
The importance of early intervention and flexible strategies to minimise the duration and impact of school absence
Collaborative responses: engaging educators, health professionals, parents, and carers in building positive pathways
Evidence-based practices in supporting school engagement
Presented by: Dr Kate Owen is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience in mental health. She co-founded the Queensland Institute of Family Therapy (QIFT) and has operated a successful private practice since 2010, providing support to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Kate has a special interest in integrative systemic psychotherapy, blending cutting-edge neuroscience and fourth-wave therapeutic modalities. Kate's career began in Child and Youth Mental Health on the Gold Coast, sparking her passion for working with families and relationships. Her therapeutic approach focuses on addressing stressors and strengths within relationships, helping clients resolve past issues impacting their present lives and assisting people to become the best versions of themselves.
Audience: for education and mental health professionals at all levels & any professional that applies attachment theory and behavioural/developmental/neuro-science to their practice.
Education Professionals: All education professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors, Learning Assistance/Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Early Childhood Workers and all other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs.
Mental Health Professionals: All mental health professionals including, but not limited to Counsellors, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Family Therapists, General Practitioners, and all other mental health professionals looking to enhance their therapeutic skills.
Parents/carers: Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend. We ask that questions of a personal nature be asked to the trainer during break times.
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