When school becomes a daily struggle, it can be exhausting and isolating—for children and for the families supporting them. In this Info Session, join Tiffany Westphal—parent, social worker and Director of School Can’t Australia— as she shares practical strategies grounded in professional and lived experience to help you better understand what’s happening for your child and how to support them through it.

This session will cover:

Understanding the nervous system and how stress affects your child’s capacity

Creating a supportive home environment

Why return-to-school plans often fail—and what makes a good one

How to work more effectively with schools and advocate effectively for your child

Where to find professional and peer support for your child and yourself

Whether you’re in the thick of school can’t or looking for new tools to support your child, this session offers practical guidance, clarity, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

About the Speaker:

Tiffany Westphal (she/her) is a Social Worker and the Director of School Can’t, a national organisation led by parents with lived experience of school attendance difficulties. Tiffany has deep experience supporting families of neurodivergent children, with a particular focus on school can't. She draws on both her experience as a parent and her professional work at a multidisciplinary child and family wellbeing clinic in Melbourne. Tiffany advocates for inclusive education and delivers training grounded in the voices of those with lived experience. She has also co-authored School Can’t Australia’s submission to the Senate Inquiry into School Refusal.

Register to attend live or receive the recording.
Please note: The video replay will be available for a limited time and only sent to families who register.

Belongside Families (formerly known as Kindred) is an independent not-for-profit organisation providing free support for families raising children with disability, delay, or autism.

Who is this event for?

Families of children with disability, developmental delay or autism across New South Wales. While this event is primarily designed for these families, we value inclusivity and welcome all families who would like to participate, including from other states across Australia.

More information

This event is held online using Zoom.
If you have accessibility needs, please advise during registration.
Further questions? Contact us at: info@belongsidefamilies.org.au

We are proudly delivering projects for the Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS. Together we’re ensuring that people with disability keep accessing supports to build their skills and connect with others who have shared similar experiences. Peer Support and Capacity Building Grant Round | NDIS

Disclaimer: Belongside Families provides an opportunity for families raising children with disability to learn from each other and share their experiences and resources. Belongside Families does not provide personalised advice or services.

Register to attend live or receive the recording. Please note: The video replay will be available for a limited time and only sent to families who register.

Who is this event for?

More information

Register to attend live or receive the recording.
Please note: The video replay will be available for a limited time and only sent to families who register.