Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA) is a relatively new term used to describe children who don’t attend school due to what is generally described as an emotional barrier. It replaces the old label of ‘school refusal’ which implied that the student could but chose not to attend school. EBSA recognises that children ‘can’t’ rather than ‘won’t’ attend school. The number of children deemed EBSA is growing every year.

There is overlap between the three causes of EBSA for example an autistic child may also have experienced trauma, but there will be differences in approach depending on whether the key barrier is neurodiversity, trauma or anxiety.

In this series Michelle aims to improve understanding of Emotionally-Based School Avoidance (EBSA) specifically looking at what it is, how it can present, what the challenges in mainstream school can be and approaches that the school and family can take to support the child.

In this episode Michelle looks at practical strategies for parents and carers for children who have completely or partially withdrawn from school. She emphasises the importance of giving the child time to reset and explores how to help reintroduce them to the wider world and some form of education.

Michelle also discusses how to manage the relationship with the school during this time and the impact of social media and gaming.

This audio is aimed at education professionals and parents/guardians.