Sunshine Support

12/09/2025

Every September families all over the UK face the same heartbreak.

Children who desperately want to learn but cannot step through the school gate.

Parents who are told “they’ll grow out of it” or “you just need to get them in.”

Teachers who want to help but do not have the tools.

This is why School Avoidance Awareness Week was created.
By parents. By professionals. By people who have lived it.

*** Read more and sign up today at www.schoolavoidance.co.uk ***

We are the leaders in this field and for years we have brought parents and educators together to learn why school avoidance happens and how to help children back onto their learning journey with compassion and understanding.

This year we are back, bigger than ever.

📅 22–26th September 2025
🎓 A full week for parents. A separate week for teachers.
💻 Every single session available for just one ticket price: £10.99 for parents, £19.99 for teachers.

The parent line-up includes:
✨ Live Q&A with Chrissa Wadlow and Kelly Jarvis
✨ Root causes of school avoidance
✨ Transition to secondary
✨ The law and your rights
✨ Trauma and school refusal
✨ Mental health strategies that work
✨ Communicating with schools effectively
✨ Cuppa & Chat support space
✨ Small steps that lead to big wins

This is not just another event. This is life changing.

It is the knowledge and support you need to change the story for your child.

🌐 Read more and sign up today at www.schoolavoidance.co.uk

Your ticket covers the entire week. One month of Sunshine Academy is included. You can continue or cancel at any time.

Time is running out. Book your place now and be part of the movement.

12/09/2025

✨ Good News Friday ✨

A phase transfer looming. A mainstream school named. And a child who needed specialist support.

We stepped in. No appeal. No tribunal. No stress. Just effective advocacy.
The independent specialist setting was secured!

To every family going through a phase transfer this summer: don’t lose hope 💛

We’re fighting alongside you.

www.sunshine-support.org

12/09/2025

We're very excited to share some big news... We've moved!

We feel that this will be our 'forever home' now, and we miss our old hub dearly - but our new office gives us space to grow whilst still accommodating our current team, and our events hub is at least 3 times the size which means we can offer more for our wonderful community.

At our new home, which is super central (right in the middle of the country!) and near the train station, we have free parking and EV charging too as well as a gorgeous onsite hotel and restaurant - perfect for those who wish to come visit for our training or social events.

I, Chrissa, want to say a heartfelt thank you to my wonderful team who moved us in over the summer... The work that went into settling us here whilst still maintaining Sunshine-standard service to our clients and community is nothing short of outstanding.

We will soon be 'branded up', giving our new building (which is all ours!) the Sunshine feel, which will also make it easier to spot us.

Until then, head for 'Carpark C' and you'll find us... Our first Cuppa&Chat takes place soon, and we have lots lined up in the Autumn to welcome you in including plans for our launch day.

We'll share some sneak peaks on our instagram stories, we hope you love it as much as we do! Can't wait to welcome you here!

Love, Chrissa and Team Sunshine 💛

12/09/2025

Fight Flight Freeze Fawn

We have all heard of fight or flight but did you know there are actually four common trauma responses?

When we are faced with stress or distress our bodies and brains can switch into fight flight freeze or fawn mode.

💛 Fight looks like anger or control
💛 Flight can show up as avoidance or restlessness
💛 Freeze might be shutting down or feeling stuck
💛 Fawn often looks like people pleasing or over compliance

Understanding these responses is so important. It helps us notice what is happening in ourselves and in our children. And once we understand it we can start to respond with compassion rather than judgement.

This is exactly what internationally renowned trauma expert Betsy de Thierry will be teaching in her upcoming webinar Trauma – how to cope when trauma is endless.

📅 Date: 17th September - 8pm - online
🎟 Book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1234592733099

Tickets will sell quickly and include access to the recording.

11/09/2025

LOUDER FOR THOSE AT THE BACK!

💥 Let’s say it clearly - forcing a child to attend school when they’re in crisis is not support.

It’s not resilience-building.
It’s not “getting them used to it.”
It’s fear. It’s anxiety. It’s trauma.

And here’s the truth… trauma doesn’t magically turn into better attendance. It turns into school refusal that’s harder to recover from, mental health struggles that last years, and children who lose trust in the adults who are meant to protect them.

If you’ve been told your child “just needs to get back into school,” you’re not alone. Thousands of parents are battling the same misunderstanding every day - and we are here to change that.

SCHOOL AVOIDANCE AWARENESS WEEK is happening soon - sign up now!

📅 22–26th September 2025
💻 Join us for a full week of live webinars, strategies, and support. Two separate programmes – one for parents, one for teachers.
🎟 One ticket covers the whole week – £10.99 for parents, £19.99 for teachers.

🌐 Sign up now at schoolavoidance.co.uk - time is running out!

11/09/2025

There's just one hour to go before ticket sales close for tonight’s live webinar 'Selecting the Right Educational Path' with Sunshine Supports very own Kelly and Grace.

The education system can be overwhelming - especially when you're seeking the right fit for a neurodivergent child or young person. Join us as we explore everything from mainstream settings to specialist provisions. We will even be looking at EHCPs and tailored support plans so you know your rights and how you can get the right fit for your child.

🎟️ Book now before it’s too late: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1432865231479

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11/09/2025

Chrissa chatted to Grace, one of our SEND Consultants, on our podcast this month - all about adoption, the power of finding your tribe and SO much more!

It's now available on youTube and Spotify.

Check it out.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atwzjOEtDPs

In this episode of Sip of Sunshine, Chris Wadlow is joined by Grace, one of our brilliant SEND consultants at Sunshine Support. Grace shares her journey from...

10/09/2025

Pumpkins, flowers and a cosy autumn evening 🎃💐

Join us at our brand new hub on London Road, Derby, for a gorgeous autumnal flower arranging workshop with the talented Abbie's Flowers.

Using pumpkins as your base, Abbie will guide you step by step to create a stunning arrangement of seasonal blooms. Perfect as a treat for yourself, a thoughtful gift for someone special or a fun social event with friends.

Your ticket includes everything you need - all materials, expert tuition and you get to take home your beautiful creation.

We will have hot and cold drinks along with plenty of snacks (as always!), so you can relax and enjoy some friendly company in our new hub.

📅 Date: 23rd October
📍 Sunshine Support, Chapman House, London Road, Derby (behind Derby Conference Centre)
🎟 Book now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autumnal-flowers-pumpkins-workshop-tickets-1254371913159

We cannot wait to welcome you!!

10/09/2025

Annual reviews decide the future of a child’s support - but do you know how they're meant to progress?

Annual reviews should not be a mystery... Yet so many of us are in the dark about how they are meant to operate.

Every parent and every SENCo has a duty to make sure the annual review process is done properly - because we know there are so many EHCPs in the system it's easy for our child's to get lost.

It is not just a meeting to tick a box. It is a legal process that determines whether the EHCP is still fit for purpose and whether a child’s needs are truly being met.

The truth is, too many annual reviews are rushed, incomplete or simply ignored. Reports are late. Actions are not followed through. Opportunities to secure the right support are missed. And it is the child who loses out.

That is why our Annual Reviews Made Simple webinar is essential. Together we will break down:
💛 What the law says must happen and when
💛 The role each person plays in the process
💛 How to prepare so you walk in feeling confident
💛 What to do if deadlines are missed or actions are not taken
💛 How to make sure the outcomes lead to real change for the child

If you are a parent, teacher or SENCO, this is your chance to learn exactly what is expected so you can make sure the annual review does what it is supposed to do — protect and support the child.

📅 30 September | 8pm to 10pm
🎟 Tickets from £14.50 | Earlybird available for a limited time
🎥 Recording included for all ticketholders

Book now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-reviews-made-simple-tickets-1432946083309

09/09/2025

We were copied into this email from a tutor allocated to a child who was undergoing the EHC needs assessment process, whilst struggling to attend school.

A lot of work had gone into understanding WHY he was struggling to attend, and we were well on our way to understanding what he needed. So imagine the shock to us all when we read this!

Demanding a child let's you in to their safe space when they don't know you is not OK. In fact, this steered into safeguarding territory.

Safe to say the child was not educated by this tutor, and is slowly but surely recovering from school trauma and burnout.

What's the strangest things you've read or heard this week?

SCHOOL AVOIDANCE - if you need help we are here. Just comment below and we will send you the resources you need.

09/09/2025

There's just one hour to go before ticket sales close for tonight’s live webinar all about identifying and supporting the PDA profile with the incredible Phil Christie

If you need to know how to spot the PDA profile and what supporting that looks like this is the webinar for you. With empowering strategies and the opportunity to get your questions answered it is really is essential viewing.

🎟️ Book now before it’s too late: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1432825452499

09/09/2025

🌱 Belonging isn’t “nice to have” - it’s essential. For many children who struggle to attend school, feeling invisible is part of the problem.

During School Avoidance Awareness Week, our speakers will show how connection, safety, and culture can turn attendance around - and why belonging can be the most powerful intervention of all.

This is for the parents who’ve fought to have their child seen.
This is for the teachers who want to do better.

📅 22–26th September 2025
🎓 Two full programmes: one for parents, one for teachers.
💻 Access all webinars for the week for £10.99 (parents) or £19.99 (teachers).

👉 Sign up now at schoolavoidance.co.uk