Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

Emotionally based school avoidance or EBSA is also referred to as: school anxiety, school refusal and emotionally based school non-attendance/avoidance. Schools and colleges are reporting increased incidents of children and young people who are finding it increasingly difficult to access school due to negative feelings.

EBSA may result in a child or young person:

• Avoiding or prolonging getting dressed in the mornings.

• Refusing to leave the house and/ or transport method to school.

• Showing physical and emotional signs of distress.

• Being reluctant to attend school for the whole week.

• Being unable to attend school at all.

A Local Authority (LA) has a legal duty to secure suitable alternative education for children of compulsoryschool age who, by reason of illness, exclusion or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitableeducation 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 create positive solutions. Our starting point is always to build a trusting relationship with the young person which may be in the home or virtually gradually working towards sessions in the community and ultimately on a school site if appropriate.