Emotionally Based School Avoidance

Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is a term used to describe when children and young people find it hard to go to school because of negative feelings, such as anxiety. It’s often linked to emotional and physical distress. This can lead to poor attendance and, over time, even more anxiety about school.

I have developed an intervention based on the principles acquired through EBSA Horizon training . This work is delivered in the school setting, helping to relieve some anxieties and helps to provide a collaborative support network around the child.

The intervention

Children and young people are increasingly finding school a challenge. I have created a Programme informed by Dr Jerricah Holders' Horizons EBSA training in order to affect positive change at the level of the child, school and home. The support will be delivered in School once a week upto 4 hrs each session and will include: regular, planned pastoral sessions (initially shorter, building up gradually) Supported time on the school site during the session time. Regulation and wellbeing activities (e.g. self regulation techniques, quiet activities, interest-led tasks) Support with transitions, routines, and navigating school spaces and gradual, supported exposure to learning environments when appropriate.

How will it work

The work will support children who struggle to attend school using a compassionate, child-centered model - some work will be directive and some non directive. Assessment involves Risk and Resilience Profiles at the level of the Child, Home and School to identify where interventions and strategies can have the greatest positive impact. Key to this work is a completely individualised programme that is developed with this particular child in mind; areas will be identified ( for example: negative thought patterns, feeling judged by others) and there will be focused work on these in order to create space for the child to discover personal attributes for themselves, and ultimately perhaps planning an alternative tomorrow that feels achievable. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to discuss how we can support the children and young people you know who may benefit from our services.