EBSA information for schools

How can the EBSA Advisory Team help?

Our primary function is to provide general advice and support to schools where a child is experiencing EBSA. We can also take referrals from schools to a monthly triage panel meeting, to consider any additional support that we are able to offer to the child/young person, family and/or school.

It is important to be able to unpick the situation.

Interventions available include:

• meetings with the school and parents
• gathering the child/young person's 'voice'
• support for the parents, in order to support the family
• support for the child/young person

The remit of the team is to support the child/young person to remain in or return to their school. We may also be able to support a transition to another mainstream primary school.

When a pupils is attending school

EBSA ladder

The EBSA Advisory Team advise that schools follow the 'EBSA ladder', when the pupil is in school:

• acknowledge the unique situation
• is it EBSA or another attendance difficulty? 
• acknowledge and accept the anxiety
• listen and help them to feel heard; don't dismiss how they are feeling
• be curious - what are the factors affecting attendance? 

Put yourself in their shoes.... What is driving their anxiety?

Home

• housing
• home finances
• parental mental health
• parental separation/loss
• parenting approach
• young carer?

Pupil

• neurodevelopmental difference
• trauma
• physical illness
• anxiety: separation, social
• poor self-confidence/self-esteem

School

• school environment
• sense of belonging?
• learning difficulties?
• relationships with peers
• relationships with teachers
• transition times

When a pupil is not attending school

The EBSA Advisory Team advise that schools follow the 'CAUSE' framework when a pupil is not attending school: