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Some families can go through a difficult time. This can make it hard to get your child to school or preschool every day.
School or preschool is a good place for your child to be during a difficult time. It can offer:
- consistency
- routine
- a sense of belonging
- support services
- contact with friends.
If you feel comfortable, talk with someone at your child’s school or preschool. This will help them support your child.
If you’re worried someone might take your child from school or preschool
Families sometimes have disagreements about who a child should live with.
You might be worried the other parent will pick up your child without permission.
If there are family court or intervention orders, the school or preschool will follow the orders. They will put things in place to make sure your child is able to attend school or preschool.
If you feel comfortable, talk to staff at the school or preschool. This will help them support you and your family.
Your discussion will be confidential.
Staff can organise extra support if it’s needed.
If you are unhappy with the level of contact your child’s other parent has, you should seek legal advice.
More information and support — family break-ups
- Free legal advice see Legal Service Commission
- Office for Women – family court support
- Family break up – Parent Easy Guide
- Thinking of separating? – Parent Easy Guide
If a child cares for a family member
Some children care for their family members. They can be as young as 6. They might care for someone that has an illness, a disability or a mental health issue.
Being a young carer can make it hard to get to school, to learn and complete homework.
If you feel comfortable, talk to staff at your school. This will help staff support your child if they have carer duties at home.
More information and support — children as carers
If your family experiences domestic or family violence
Always call 000 in an emergency.
You need to get help if there is violence in your home.
Schools or preschools can connect you to a support service. They can also make sure your child has support.
More information and support — domestic or family violence
- Phone the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098
- Domestic and family violence and sexual assault support services.
If mental health issues affect your family
Mental health issues can disrupt a family’s routines. It can sometimes make it difficult for your child to get to school or preschool.
If you feel comfortable, talk to staff at the school or preschool. This will help them support your child.
Your discussion will be confidential.
Support for adults
- Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Phone Beyond blue on 1300 22 4636
- Reach out advice for parents and caregivers
Support for children
- Phone kids helpline on: 1800 551 800
- Mental health and education - children
- Reach out for young people
If your family has financial difficulties
Financial problems can make it hard to get your child to school or preschool every day.
Talk to staff at your school or preschool about financial help.
There is a school card scheme that helps with school fees, uniforms and excursions costs.
Your discussion will be confidential.
More information and support — financial help
- Grants and services for young people
- Financial aid including financial counselling information
- Office for Women – financial counselling services. Ph (08) 8352 1889
- Gambling helpline phone: 1800 858 858
- www.problemgambling.sa.gov.au
If your family experiences homelessness
Homelessness can make it harder to get your child to school or preschool.
If you stay connected to a school or preschool you can have easier access to support services.
If you feel comfortable, talk to someone at you school or preschool. This will help staff support your family.
Your discussion will be confidential.
More information and support — homelessness
- Immediate crisis support: contact a homelessness support provider
- Dealing with a crisis — Parent Easy Guide
Refugees and new arrivals
Being in a new country can be challenging. This can make it hard to get your child to school or preschool.
Your child might also find it hard to adjust to a new place.
If you feel comfortable, talk to staff at the school or preschool. This will help them support your child.
If English is your child’s second language, talk to the staff about this. They have information about how to support your child to learn English.
More information and support — new to South Australia
- Refugee Council of Australia list of services in South Australia
- Intensive English Language and New Arrivals program.
If alcohol or drug use affects your family
Alcohol or drug use can affect the whole family. It can make it difficult for your child to get to school or preschool.
If you feel comfortable, talk to someone at your school or preschool. This will help staff support your child.
Your discussion will be confidential.
More information and support — drug and alcohol use
- Phone the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1300 131 340
- Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs — support information
- Positive choices
- Know your options
If your family has transport problems
It is a parent’s legal responsibility to get their children to and from school.
However, there may be times when problems with transport get in the way.
Consider having some back-up options in case this happens.
Ask other adults you trust if they can help. They could be:
- family members
- a neighbour
- another family from the school that lives close by.
There could be times you could help them too.
