Across the UK, an estimated 1.5 million children are now persistently or permanently absent from school. Many of these children are neurodivergent and experiencing severe school distress. With assessment waiting lists stretching into years, families are too often left without the support they need and instead face fines, prosecution, and hostility from the very systems designed to help them.
A New Film from Odyssey House School
Odyssey House School has partnered with an award-winning film director and writer to create “Unauthorised Absence”, a powerful 15-minute short film based on a true story.
The film follows a single mother and her undiagnosed autistic daughter as school distress begins to take hold, exposing the devastating consequences of rigid education systems that fail to recognise and support children’s individual needs.
Giving a Voice to Families Across the UK
Through the story of one family, the film reflects the experiences of hundreds of thousands of families across the UK. It helps humanise the reality behind the statistics, highlighting the emotional and practical challenges faced by families navigating school distress and delayed neurodevelopmental assessments.
A Call for Understanding and Change
Supported by more than 50 leading figures in education, psychology, paediatrics, law, and public policy, Unauthorised Absence is more than just a short film.
It is a powerful call for greater awareness, compassion, and reform, encouraging meaningful conversations about how schools and systems can better support neurodivergent children and their families.
How you can support
- Follow the film’s journey on Instagram and Facebook: @unauthorisedabsencefilm
- Share the story within your networks to raise awareness of how attendance laws affect SEND families.
- Back their Kickstarter and provide a donation as a late pledge.
- Partner with an organisation to help amplify the campaign and provide financial backing.
- Spread the word to schools and advocacy groups to attract further support.