Difficulty attending school
Having persistent physical complaints does not automatically mean that young people cannot attend school. Sometimes they do need certain adjustments at school. The experiences of young people and their parents show that the complaints can affect their daily lives. Sometimes they miss lessons at school or part of the course material. Their contact with classmates may also suffer as a result. This can make them feel lonely. With this guide, the authors Ellen Donkers (NJi), Mariës Zegers (NJi), Mark Weghorst (NCI) and Henrie Mastwijk (Ingrado) therefore draw particular attention to young people with persistent physical complaints that make it difficult for them to attend school.
Infographic
In addition to the guide, there is also an infographic. It indicates what you can do in the classroom, what you can do for individual students and their parents, and what can be done in and around the school in cooperation with other professionals, young people and parents.
In the classroom
1 Pay attention to stress, emotions and physical complaints
2 Involve classmates
For individual students
1 Take complaints seriously and listen to young people and their parents
2 Initiate an early conversation about sickness absences
3 Work together with the parents
4 Encourage attendance
In and around the school in cooperation with other professionals, young people and parents
1 Focus on multidisciplinary cooperation in and around the school
2 Provide tailored support for school attendance
Who is it for?
The guide is primarily intended for mentors and support coordinators in secondary education, youth physicians and attendance officers who want to work together to promote school attendance among young people with persistent physical complaints. The coordination with specialists from the medical field and youth care that may be necessary is also addressed.
Download the publication.
Download the infographic.