We are very excited to advise that MissingSchool was the 2024 recipient of the HenderCare Foundation Disability Grant. This grant will support a helpline pilot program to assist students facing complex attendance and health challenges, providing guidance and resources to ensure they remain engaged with their education despite physical absences.
MissingSchool is an Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bridging the educational and social gaps experienced by children who miss significant periods of school due to medical or mental health conditions. With up to 30% of Australian students at risk of prolonged school absences, MissingSchool strives to keep these young learners connected to their classrooms, peers, and teachers.
Co-founded by Megan Gilmour, who was inspired by her personal experience, MissingSchool has been at the forefront of advocating for systems and technologies that enable continuous learning and social inclusion for absent students.
What inspired Megan to start MissingSchool, and how has it evolved to support students in staying connected to their education and well-being?
Megan was inspired to start MissingSchool after witnessing her son Darcy’s critical illness and the trauma of feeling forgotten during his two-year absence from school. She saw firsthand the impact on his education and wellbeing—along with the shared trauma experienced by his sister, Mia.
Megan realised that we can’t wait until kids are well to keep them connected to their learning and peers. Since co-founding MissingSchool in 2012, the organisation has worked to ensure students facing health-related chronic absences stay engaged through innovative solutions, including Australia’s first national telepresence robot service, which has reconnected over 7,000 classmates.
Today, national campaigns and data, research across six countries, and pioneering policy guidance to governments are driving systemic interventions to ensure children remain part of their school community, even when they’re physically absent.
How does the MissingSchool helpline support students facing long-term school absences?
MissingSchool’s digital Helpline, Parent Facebook Group, and weekly ‘Ask Us Anything’ webinars provide ongoing information and support for parents/carers and teachers on school connection options, health-specific education considerations, stakeholder partnering strategies for improved student outcomes, and troubleshooting.
The partnership between HenderCare Foundation and MissingSchool underscores a shared commitment to enhancing the lives of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. By supporting innovative solutions that maintain educational continuity, both organisations aim to ensure that every child, regardless of health challenges, has the opportunity to thrive socially and academically.
For more information about MissingSchool, visit their website at https://missingschool.org.au/