Define Fine

What to expect

Define Fine has been created by a small, committed team of parents and professionals who have lived experience of school attendance difficulties

It is a parent/carer-led organisation set up in response to the growing number of children and young people who experience school attendance difficulties. This is sometimes referred to as ‘school refusal’, or emotionally based school avoidance and may be due to 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.

They provide peer support, using their tried and tested resources and to help parents advocate for the support their children and young people need to be able to learn and achieve.

They want to build a network of peer supporters, who they can train to use their guides for their own family and ultimately to then help other families experiencing attendance difficulties. They provide 1:1 help for parents and carers who need help and support.

Define Fine run free question and answer sessions for members where they can ask specific questions and get individual support from the team.

It is predominantly an online group, but there is a very active Facebook page where questions can be asked and answered.  Sessions also run twice a month for members to attend online. Groups are inclusive and supportive and is a safe space to share experiences and ask questions.

More information

Empowering parents to be able to effectively work with professionals, should encourage not only earlier intervention, with much better outcomes, but also reduce the risk and impact of unhelpful, and unnecessary attendance prosecutions and social services  safeguarding interventions. It is vital that children, young people and their families receive appropriate support, and especially in cases where professionals insist children are “fine in school, “ all are clear as to how fine is actually defined.

For them “fine in school” would mean that children are safe, healthy, happy and their needs are acknowledged and supported to able to access suitable education and learn.

Define Fine is free.