EBSA

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Emotionally based school avoidance or EBSA is also referred to as: school anxiety, school refusal and emotionally based school non-attendance/avoidance. 

Schools and research evidences increased incidents of children and young people who are finding it increasingly difficult to access school due to their mental health and well-being.

EBSA can lead to a child or young person:

• Avoiding or prolonging getting dressed in the mornings.

• Refusing to leave the house.

• Showing physical and emotional signs of distress.

• Being reluctant to attend school for the whole week and/or the whole day.

• Being unable to attend school at all.

A Local Authority (LA) has a legal duty to secure suitable alternative education for children of compulsory school age who, by reason of illness, exclusion or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them (section 19, Education Act 1996). This applies for those with and without an EHC plan.

We have experience of working closely with schools and families to support young people with EBSA to look for positive solutions to gradually work towards school attendance or increasing school attendance. Building a positive, trusting relationship with the young person is vital and this could be in the home or virtually initially, working towards sessions in the community and ultimately on a school site if appropriate and at the pace of the young person.