Define Fine is led by a small team of parents and professionals with lived experience of school attendance difficulties. Parent Carers are welcome to join our supportive Define Fine Facebook group where we share advice, signpost to support and coordinate our peer support training on how to use our resources. We also provide consultancy, training and case management to professionals in schools, local authorities, PCFs, SENDiass and other organisations .
School attendance difficulties are often referred to as ‘school refusal’, or EBSA -emotionally based school avoidance, however these phrases may not explain the full picture of the barriers to attendance which may be due to any number of complex reasons such unmet Special Educational Needs & Disabilities including physical or mental illness, either suspected or diagnosed, bullying or issues relating to academic pressure, or even the school environment.
School attendance difficulties are complex but all too often these children are described as being “fine” when they are in school. Define Fine has produced resources based on relevant government policies and guidance, to help parents and their families to work with professionals to assess and then plan appropriate and timely support.