School Can’t Hub · For families

Parents & Carers

You’re not doing this wrong. It’s just really hard.

Tools and resources to help you understand what’s going on underneath, look after yourself along the way, and find a calmer, values-led way forward with your child.

Illustration of a parent gently holding her upset daughter
For parents and carers

School Can’t is not a choice

When a young person can’t get to school, or can’t stay there, something about school may be feeling too hard or overwhelming.

Our neuroaffirming tools help you understand what might be going on and find support that actually fits.

The signs aren’t always missed daysTummy aches on Sunday nights, exhaustion after school, or holding it together at school and falling apart at home can all be early clues. Our free check-in helps you organise what you’ve noticed, and what to explore next.
What are you noticing? FREE · About 5 minutes
Created by clinical psychologists Illustrations by a human

Where to start…

Wherever you are right now, there’s a gentle next step. Start with whichever feels right, or follow them in order: notice what’s happening, understand it, then plan a way forward together.

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Illustration of a worried girl leaning on a school desk
FREE · 5-min check-in

What are you noticing?

A gentle check-in to organise what you’ve been noticing across mornings, the school day, feelings and patterns. Finish with next steps and a summary to share with school.

Start noticing 2
Illustration of a teenager sitting cross-legged
FREE · 10-min interactive

Understanding School Can’t

A short interactive guide to what School Can’t is (and isn’t), the early signs, and why a young person’s capacity can change from day to day.

Start the interactive 3
Illustration of a laughing parent and teenager

Setting the Compass

Our interactive guide for parents and carers. At your own pace, explore your family’s values, your own regulation, connection and shame-free boundaries.

Explore the guide

You don’t have to do this alone…

Support is out there

Start with your GPThey can check physical symptoms and talk with you about a referral to a psychologist.
Talk with the schoolAsk for a meeting with the wellbeing team, guidance officer or school counsellor about practical adjustments.

If you need to talk to someone now

ParentlineQLD & NT · for parents and carers1300 301 300 Kids HelplineAges 5–25 · any time1800 55 1800 LifelineCrisis support · 24/713 11 14 EmergencyIf someone is in danger000

Pocket Psych resources offer general information and education. They aren’t a substitute for individual advice, diagnosis or therapy.

We believe in…

The threads that run through everything we make

Neuroaffirming practice

We see difference as diversity, not deficit.

Different, not broken

Engagement through design

Beautiful, eye-catching resources that invite exploration.

Illustrated by a human

Evidence-informed foundations

Grounded in clinical expertise, and built for real-world use.

Made by psychologists