Emotional based school avoidance

What is EBSA?

Emotional based school avoidance or EBSA is a term applied to young people who experience significant challenges in attending school.  Often related to anxiety and negative emotions. It is not a medical term, it is not diagnosed, but the term may describe young people who are subject to medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or specific phobias for example, or show symptoms of these and other conditions. 

Young people demonstrating EBSA will typically have low attendance to school and demonstrate refusal behaviours that go beyond a dislike or disdain for school and education. 

Managing EBSA

Managing EBSA can be really traumatic for families as they try to meet the expectations of schools and local authorities and reach out for appropriate support and care for their child's needs. Schools can find responding to EBSA needs a significant challenge too. Schools have an obligation to achieve high attendance from all their students but phased returns, part time timetables and access to specialists such as educational psychologists are all difficult to implement due to costs, staffing and limitations placed on them by outside agencies. 

One way to support young people with EBSA is to consider alternative methods of education that the young person can access in a way that meets their needs. If a young person has a medical condition that is causing EBSA they may be entitled to ESMA  (education support for medical absence) home based learning and the local authority can broker this with their school. 

Enrolling on alternative provisions such as small face to face settings and online settings is another form of education that may allow a young person to access education without the negative feelings and barriers associated with attending a mainstream setting. Schools may be able to establish this for the student, or families may choose to do this themselves as a home education programme. 

Support for EBSA

All young people presenting with EBSA need specialist support, but that support will vary depending on the needs, symptoms and triggers for that young person. If you feel your child is presenting with EBSA here are some initial steps you can take:

• Book a GP appointment to discuss symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression or general poor mental health that may be contributing to EBSA

• Meet with your child's school and discuss the barriers and challenges your child is facing. They will be able to make referrals to appropriate support agencies.

• Research your local alternative provision providers, you may find a provider  like The phoenix project that can support your child as they work through their EBSA so they don’t lose learning. 

• Find family community groups that can support you through their shared experiences and understanding of the challenges you are facing. 

• Contact your local authority for help and guidance. A lot of LAs have useful guidance and documents to help better understand EBSA, like this document from Hertfordshire local authority

Young people can overcome EBSA and experience positive and fulfilling school lives, this may take time and a range of intervention and support but if you are open to accepting help and feedback you will be able to work to improve your child’s wellbeing and future experiences.