Online school for kids with ADHD, autism, anxiety and attendance refusal goes national
A groundbreaking Victorian school program offering a lifeline to anxious and neurodivergent students who 'can't' attend traditional classes is set for a nationwide expansion.
A groundbreaking new online learning program designed to curb school refusal and offer a safe space for students with anxiety, autism and ADHD is about to roll out nationally.
Following backing from the federal and state governments, the BlendED online school program, which is currently only available in Victoria, will expand to Tasmania in 2026.
More than 100 year 7 to 12 students from Tasmania are already enrolled for next year, with Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales expected to follow soon after. The trauma-informed online learning environment will then expand to include year 11 and 12, along with senior primary classes.
At present more than 700 students have been enrolled in the innovative learning model in Victoria, which was launched by Saints College – part of Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) – in 2023.
The program, also ideal for social and gender diverse students, offers a full-time, trauma-informed online learning environment along with in-person wellbeing support.
Dedicated youth workers and wellbeing staff conduct regular face-to-face visits to build trust, monitor mental health, and provide tailored support to each student’s needs. These visits are central to the program’s success, helping students feel seen, supported, and connected, while also gently guiding them to re-engage socially when ready.
This hybrid model of online learning with in-person wellbeing support is believed to be unique in the western world.
EREA director of new initiatives Chloe Hand said there were “several reasons that young people refuse to attend physical schools, including social anxiety, bullying or problems at home”.
“These young people had been dropping out of education completely, but BlendED is successfully keeping them in education which is critical to learning but setting them on a positive path in life,” Ms Hand said.
“BlendED works because it combines high-quality, flexible online learning with personalised wellbeing support. Every young person has a tailored learning plan, access to qualified teachers and youth workers, and regular check-ins both online and in person. It’s a model built on trust, care and unconditional positive regard.”
“Our vision is to continue growing so that even more vulnerable young people across Australia can access the education they deserve,” Ms Hand said.
Jayden Mortimer, 16, joined BlendED 12 months ago after not attending school for a year. They attend every class from home in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs, go to all of the school gatherings and have also joined the book club.
“Going to school and being around so many people made me feel anxious and uncomfortable,” they said.
“I like that I can be at home and do class from my bed with my laptop. I’m more comfortable and confident now. BlendED made school easier and less intimidating because they don’t put as much pressure on you as a normal school. Everyone I have met has been really nice and easy to get along with.”
BlendED online classes go from 9.30 to 2.30 and Jayden, who is in year 10, is looking forward to continued study and has plans to become a zoo keeper.
Every fortnight Jayden receives face-to-face outreach visits from BlendED youth worker Amelia Cotsanis to check on their progress.
They also have fortnightly in-person gatherings at the Zoo, Aquarium and other places with other BlendEd students.
It is estimated that there are 150,000 Australian teenagers impacted by “School Can’t” – a term increasingly used to describe young people who are unable, rather than unwilling, to attend school.
The same trends have been seen globally.
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Originally published as Online school for kids with ADHD, autism, anxiety and attendance refusal goes national
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