'My child has fallen out with her best friend. She doesn't want to go to school. What can I do?'

This week Richard Hogan answers a reader's question about friendships and bullying 

Watching children struggle with their friendship group is a very difficult experience for parents

Dear Richard, 

My 15 year old daughter has recently fallen out with her best friend and now she has no friends. Her friend has started to say things about her, our once bubbly lovely and happy girl is now ostracised from her peer group. She is anxious and doesn’t want to go to school. Myself and my husband are beside ourselves with worry, we don’t know what to do. She has begged me not to contact her friend's parents, but I don’t know what to do. Should I contact them? Should I contact the school? Please we need help.