What do I do when…
My child can’t get into school
If mornings have become a battle, or your child simply can’t get through the door, you are not failing and you are not alone. Here’s what the law says and what you can do next.
Your rights
- If your child is too unwell to attend, including because of anxiety, the absence should be recorded as illness.
- When a child can’t attend because of health needs and will miss 15 or more days, in a row or added up, the council must arrange suitable education for them. This is its Section 19 duty.
- You don’t need a diagnosis to ask for help or to ask for an EHC needs assessment.
What to do
- Tell school each day your child is off, and why. Keep your own note of every day.
- Look after your child first. Pushing through distress usually makes things harder.
- Ask school for a meeting about support, such as a later start, a safe space or a key adult.
- Speak to your GP about referrals, and look at local wellbeing support.
- When 15 days look likely, write to the council asking it to arrange education under Section 19.
- Consider asking for an EHC needs assessment.
How Aro helps
Aro’s one-tap check-in builds the day-by-day record for you, spots patterns like hard mornings, and drafts the Section 19 letter when you need it.
Who can help
- NationalNot Fine in SchoolParent-led support and information for families of children struggling to attend school.
- NationalSquare PegCampaigns and resources about school attendance difficulties and emotionally based school non-attendance.
- HertfordshireWith YOUth (Herts Mind Network)Free wellbeing support for 5 to 18 year olds and their parents: chat, phone, 1:1 and groups. Helps with anxiety, behaviour, low mood and school attendance. Not for crisis.0208 189 8400 · withyouth@hertfordshiremind.org
- HertfordshireEducation Support for Medical Absence (ESMA)For children who can’t attend school for health reasons. Part of how the council arranges education when a child can’t attend.01442 454 802 · esmaenquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk
- HertfordshireHerts SENDIASSFree, impartial advice on SEND, EHCPs and disagreements with school or the council.01992 555 847 · info@hertssendiass.org.uk
- NationalYoungMinds Parents HelplineAdvice for parents worried about a child or young person’s mental health, up to age 25.0808 802 5544
Official guidance
- Working together to improve school attendance (DfE)
- Arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs (DfE)
This guide is general information about the law in England, written by a parent. It isn’t legal advice, and every situation is different. For advice about your child, contact SENDIASS or IPSEA. Last checked October 2026.