hello!
My passion has, and always will be, to try and improve the lives of children and families. I believe that with the right support at the right time, we can change trajectories.
We can help anxious children rediscover their confidence. We can empower parents and caregivers to understand and respond to their child's needs. And we can work alongside schools to create environments where every child feels safe, valued, and able to thrive.
I'm Dominique!
I'm a primary school teacher and coach with a clear mission: To help parents, caregivers and children thrive together
With a Masters degree in Human Rights Law and a decade’s experience in the classroom, including working within a Language Communication and Support Centre (LCSC), I've developed The Golden Thread Programme to support children's emotional wellbeing and help them build resilience, confidence, and the social-emotional skills they need to succeed.
my aim
Across Scotland, we're seeing a concerning rise in emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA) and anxiety amongst primary-aged children. Current data suggests that nearly 10% of Scottish primary pupils are affected by anxiety-related school attendance difficulties. In some local authorities, such as Glasgow, the picture is even more concerning.
Research shows that anxiety disorders are the primary factor in approximately half of school refusal cases, with children aged 5-10 being particularly vulnerable. Education Scotland noted an increase in Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) particularly since COVID-19.
Many schools report children who are registered as authorised absences due to illness, but are in fact experiencing school-related anxiety. CAMHS referrals in Scotland continue to rise — with anxiety disorders being amongst the most common reasons for referral.
The Scottish Children's Services Coalition (SCSC) 2024 described this as a mental health driven attendance crisis and warned of a growing number of children who are too anxious to attend school regularly.
Behind every statistic is a child who is suffering — and a family searching desperately for answers. These children aren't choosing to avoid school; they're experiencing genuine emotional distress that manifests as physical symptoms, panic, and profound fear. Without early intervention, these patterns can become deeply embedded, leading to long-term mental health difficulties and barriers to educational achievement.
Early intervention isn't just beneficial — it's transformative. It's the difference between a child who retreats further into anxiety and one who learns they have the inner strength to face their fears. That's why The Golden Thread Programme exists: to reach children early, to support families with compassion and evidence-based strategies, and to partner with schools in building a generation of resilient, confident young people.