A stepped support plan can be used to support your child to go into school or to face situations that worry them. You can use a stepped support plan with your child to support them to overcome any type of worry.

A stepped support plan uses a graded exposure approach which helps to reduce anxiety and build confidence in overcoming worries. By setting a goal with your child and breaking it down into manageable steps, according to difficulty level, you can work together to see progress over time.

You can use a stepped support plan approach with your child’s school (also known as a Wellbeing and Attendance Support plan) to support your child’s attendance.

Resources

• Overcoming your child’s fears and worries handout (NHS)
• Stepped Support Plan template
• Helping your child with fears and worries (a self-help guide for parents) book by Cathy Creswell and Lucy Willets
• Parent-Led CBT for child Anxiety (Helping parents help their kids) – book by Cathy Creswell, Monika Parkinson, Kerstin Thirlwall and Lucy Willets.