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I Can't Get My Child To School: What is my next best step?

If you're a parent somewhere between exhausted, confused, and terrified you're getting this wrong, then this is for you.  

Not more conflicting advice, judgement or blame.  Just the clearest possible starting point. Free.

You'll probably recognise at least one of these

You think you're going OK as a parent and then school refusal becomes a part of your life and you have no idea what to do next.  No one prepares you for this. Whether your just starting to see signs or you've been in the thick of it for a while...

You're Frozen

Pushing feels too risky, backing off feels just as bad, and you can't work out which one you're more afraid of getting wrong.

You've stopped trying to explain

You've stopped trying to explain it to most people. You've learned which family members not to bring it up with.  You're making every decision alone.

It's waitlists or conflicting advice

The school, the GP, the psychologist, you've tried all of them, and you've come away with either a spot on a waitlist or advice that hasn't helped.

You're functioning on the outside

You're functioning because you have to.  But you can't remember the last time you weren't worried.  Worried about your child, their future, managing work and everything feels important.  
If any of that sounds like your life right now, you're exactly who we made this resource bundle for.
what's inside

You don't need more opinions

You need a clear plan

We made this because we have been you and we know what it's like in the thick of School Can't.  Everything feels urgent, every decision carries so much weight. You're mentally exhausted. It's the reset point you need.  Free for you right now.
Ten Practical tools and frameworks you can actually use right now
Ten downloadable resources built specifically for parents in the middle of School Can't. Frameworks for understanding what's happening, exact scripts for school conversations, and tools for making decisions without the guilt spiral.
Downloads:
  • The 3-word reframe 
  • 'First 10 minutes' formula for mornings
  • Why to avoid 'why' questions
  • Why rewards & punishments stop working
  • What's driving my child's anxiety
  • School attendance email template
  • Red Flag Phrases from Schools & how to respond
  • Safety first framework
  • Signs a child is masking
  • Decision-making Framework
Easy to follow practical resources for parents

Neuro-affirming, trauma-informed support created by parents, facilitated by experienced counsellors

Lived experience + professional support + Australia-wide

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A safe community

What parents and professionals say about Green Cardigan

"There is only so much I can do for families in my clinic. Green Cardigan fills a gap I couldn't fill alone. These are resources I'm genuinely grateful I can refer parents to."
Dr Britta Jensen, Paediatrician
"I wish I had this four years ago when we first started. I would have felt so much less alone — and made very different decisions in those early weeks."
Jess Fortuna, Parent & Advocate
"One of the biggest reasons my son is still in school is because of a conversation with you. Learning how to advocate for his needs was a game changer."
Blair - Mum 15yo son

Is this for you?

Child aged 6-16

Refusing or struggling to attend school

Nothing has stuck

You've tried rewards, routines and consequences

This is for you if

Conflicting advice

You're getting conflicting advice and don't know who to trust

You're torn

Between pushing harder and giving in completely

Suspect neurodivergence

You child may be diagnosed, suspected, or neither

You're exhausted

functioning outwardly, but quietly falling apart

Not a Quick-fix

Not a "back to school in 7 days" 

Not behaviour compliance training

If we focus too much on behaviour we miss the challenge it's trying to solve.

What we are not

Not crisis support

Not crisis intervention or ongoing therapy

Not advice that ignores your child's nervous system

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Things you might be wondering

We know because we asked these questions on our School Can't journey too

"Is this just going to tell me to push them back to school?"

No. We don't believe in forcing attendance when a child has run out of capacity. This pack helps you understand what's really happening, help you get through todays hard moments and get clarity on your next steps.

"My child doesn't have a diagnosis. Does that matter?"

Not at all. You don't need a diagnosis to access this. School Can't is about how a child's nervous system responds to stress, not a label on a report. Many families we support haven't pursued a formal assessment, and some never do. All are welcome.

"We've already tried so many things. How is this different?"

What makes Green Cardigan different isn't more information, it's the support framework. The resources give you knowledge, our 1:1 coaching helps you take your next step without second-guessing everything and the group support means you're never alone.

"Is this going to make me feel like a bad parent?"

The opposite. If you've found this page, you're someone who cares deeply and is already trying hard. Our entire approach is built around returning you to competence, not adding to the shame.

"Why is this resource free?"

Because we have been you and we know families in School Can't are already stretched; financially, emotionally, and practically. We'd rather prove we understand your situation first, and let you decide if more support from us makes sense for you. No strings attached.
Why we built this

The morning that changed everything

You know the morning. Your child is in the carpark again, or in their room, or under the covers. The school is calling. Your boss is waiting. And you're doing the maths in your head: if I push, I might break them. If I don't push, other parts of life get worse.

Most parents in this situation have already done everything right. They've talked to the school. Tried the GP. Seen the psychologist. Joined the Facebook groups. And at the end of all of it, they're still stuck in the same impossible moment every single morning.

"The problem isn't that you haven't tried hard enough. The problem is that you've been given the wrong map."

School Can't isn't a behaviour problem. It's not a parenting failure. It's a nervous system response, and it doesn't respond to pressure, rewards, or ultimatums. It responds to safety. And safety starts with you understanding what's actually happening, so you can stop making decisions from a place of panic.

That's exactly what this resource pack is designed to give you. Not more advice. Not more conflicting opinions. The start of a roadmap to build your confidence and help you recognise your family's next best step.

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You Don't Have To Figure This Out Alone. Start here

Enter your details and you'll get instant access to all of these trauma-informed resources. 
  • 10 practical downloads you can use immediately
Green Cardigan exists to help you slow things down, take on a new perspective and get clarity before any decisions are made.

We're here when you need us.
  • Grounded in nervous system understanding, not behaviour control.
  • Neuro-affirming and responsive to your individual child.
  • Focused on real-life application, not theory.
  • Guidance you can use in the moment.

Explore the free resource bundle

Instant access to trauma-informed support
Thank you!
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Phone number: 0480 434 647
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