About
Hello..... I'm Kay.
I am the founder of www.schoolrefusal.co.uk and SRSS.
I am also a parent of two children with special needs and disabilities.
I'm just your ordinary parent who has worked hard for something I believe in. As you may have read, nearly 10 years ago, School Refusal came knocking at our door and I didn't have a clue what I was dealing with and resources were minimal. I vowed that no parent should have to go through that with no where to turn. Hence how this work came about.
I'm a 'Cricket Mum'. My son began playing when he was 7 Years old and is now nearly 25yrs. He makes me proud. Cricket has given him a focus all throughout the rough and tough times and has helped us all really. I'm the Treasurer for his club, so a very busy person; but I love it.
Within our home, we have the following conditions which have educated me
- ADHD
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- A-Typical Autism
- Auditory Memory Disorder
- Dyslexia
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypermobility
- IBS
- Psychogenic (non-epileptic) Seizures
- School Phobia / School refusal / Education Avoidance
- Separation Anxiety
- Suicidal Ideation / Tendencies
- Tourette's Syndrome
- Vestibular Migraines
Qualifications:
2:1 Forensic Psychology BSc
Forensic Psychology MSc
C Law (GCSE)
Courses:
STOP - Safe Guarding and Suicide Prevention Course
ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
Working with Young Victims
Experience & Volunteering:
HM Courts - Magistrates
HM Courts - Crown Court
HM Probation Service
HM Coroners Court - Volunteer Service
HM Coroners Court - Inquest Coordinator
Membership:
British Psychological Society
Media:
ITV Daybreak
The Sun Newspaper
BBC North - Radio
Publications & Self Publications:
Mawson, K.S. (2010). School Phobia & Separation Anxiety: A Parents Experience. Anxious Times 76 (4) 6.
Mawson, K.S. (2018) Answering the Question - What is School Refusal
Mawson, K.S. (2017) A Parents, Guardians & Carers Guide to School Refusal
I feel that my background, work and experience has assisted me in gaining a further insight into mental health and disabilities. Whilst I don't class myself as qualified to comment in a professional capacity, I do consider myself to have knowledge to pass advice and give direction to those needing support.
I always advise individuals to seek their own answers through research and reading or to further consult a professional.