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Understand what may be happening

Practical guidance for difficult moments

Short, compassionate articles that reduce shame, explain what may be happening in the brain and body, and offer realistic next steps.

School, attendance & SEND

Support when school feels difficult

Start here for school distress, attendance worries, SEN Support and practical help working with school.

A teenager feeling unsure about school while a caring adult offers calm support at home

School distress

School distress: when school feels too hard

A calm starting point for understanding what may be making school difficult and choosing a helpful next step.

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A parent gently supporting a child outside a school entrance on a difficult morning

School attendance

When a child is struggling to attend school

Practical, compassionate steps for parents when anxiety, distress, SEND or health needs are making attendance difficult.

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A SENCO, parent and child discussing school support in a calm meeting

SEND support

SEND Support in School: a parent guide

A clear, calm England guide to SEN Support, the SENCO and the Assess Plan Do Review approach.

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A child, parent and SENCO calmly reviewing a visual support plan together

Practical school support

Reasonable adjustments in school: a parent guide

A clear England guide to practical school adjustments, how to ask and how to agree a plan that can be reviewed.

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A parent, teenager and supportive professional looking together at an education support plan

EHCPs and SEND

EHCPs: a parent introduction

A clear England guide to EHC needs assessments, EHCPs, timescales and next steps.

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A teacher offering calm, wordless activity choices to a child in a quiet classroom area

Education

Autism in school

Practical guidance for families navigating support, reasonable adjustments and school life.

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A tired child recovering at home while a caring adult offers quiet support

School and overwhelm

Your child holds it together at school—then falls apart at home

As a parent, it can be confusing and heartbreaking. Here is what may be happening beneath the behaviour.

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A worried child and caring adult pausing together on a school morning

School attendance & wellbeing

When attendance is not the whole answer

A reflective reminder to look beyond attendance figures to a child’s emotional safety and wellbeing.

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Emotions, communication & wellbeing

Understanding what your child may be feeling

Gentle support for moments when emotions are big, words are hard or your family is waiting for answers.

A parent and child calmly making a small plan together at a kitchen table

Anxiety and wellbeing

When your child is trying to control everything

A gentle guide to understanding the need for certainty and offering support without blame.

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A parent and child calmly preparing for an upcoming change with picture cards at home

Change and uncertainty

Helping your child through change and uncertainty

Practical, gentle ways to make an upcoming change feel more predictable, manageable and supported.

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A parent and child calmly using body-feeling cards together at home

Anxiety and wellbeing

When worry shows up in the body

A gentle guide to physical signs of worry, calm reassurance and knowing when to seek further help.

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A child using simple cards to communicate while a caring adult listens patiently

Communication

When your child says ‘I don’t know what’s wrong’

They may not be avoiding the question. Their body may be overwhelmed before words can catch up.

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An overwhelmed child in a quiet space while an adult gives calm, supportive distance

Nervous system

Emotional shutdowns and meltdowns

Recognising overload, distress and the need for safety rather than seeing difficult behaviour.

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A parent staying connected with their child while waiting for further support

Assessment waits

Supporting parents through the wait

Ways to protect your child’s wellbeing and your own while waiting for assessment or specialist support.

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