Pat's Answer

Hi, you are very welcome to Ask Pat.  

Thanks for reaching out to Ask Pat with your question. We know it often is not an easy thing to do but we also know how important it is for young people to share their worries. Talking about and sharing what is going on for you is a big step forward. 

It sounds like you are having a difficult time with being permanently excluded from school and that you may be worried or anxious about your future.  

It is normal to feel worried about what our futures might look like especially if we are no longer in school. Just because one path didn’t work out for you, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find the path that does. You have a right to get help and feel supported. You are very brave for reaching out and asking for help with this worry, it can be a difficult thing to do. Talking to a trusted adult can help with feeling supported and also with understanding our worries about the future. This adult can be anyone you feel comfortable talking to, a sports coach, a family member or a youth worker for example. Do you have a trusted adult or a friend you can talk to about this worry?   

We are not sure if you are contacting us from Ireland or another country. If you are in Ireland, these links may be useful for you as they contain information about your rights to an education: https://spunout.ie/life/your-rights/grounds-expelled-school-ireland ; https://www.iccl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ICCL_KYR_ChildrensRights_Colour.pdf .

There are other organisations that can help you. Túlsa is the Child and Family Agency in Ireland, they have Educational Welfare Officers who help with making sure children and young people have access to an education. You can read about what Educational Welfare Officers do here: https://www.tusla.ie/services/educational-welfare-services/ews/ . If you would like to get in touch with them or get information, you can find your local Túlsa office here: www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-offices/ . You may need the support of an adult to help you with this.   

If you based in the UK, perhaps you might want to contact the Childline service operating there for some help, support and information that is relevant to where you live: https://www.childline.org.uk/ 

You do not have to feel like you are going through this alone, Childline would be happy to talk to you and explore what this may feel like for you. Perhaps you could give us a call on 1800 66 66 66  or a text at  50101 or even have a web chat with us through www.childline.ie  so that we could help you look at the options that are available to you should you need more help. The services are free and confidential and are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Childline does not trace phone numbers or IP addresses and we really put values on your feelings and thoughts. You have a right to be safe and a right to talk to an adult you trust about your situation. There are also some articles on the Childline website which you may find useful: https://www.childline.ie/info-advice/.   

Thanks again for reaching out to Ask Pat, we hope this answer has been helpful.  

Take care,  

 Pat