Understanding & Supporting Children & Young People with Emotionally Based School Avoidance
By Tina Rae
A user-friendly toolkit designed to support professionals and parents in understanding and addressing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), particularly during transitions and following the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive guide, authored by Tina Rae, offers practical strategies and resources for helping children and young people overcome school avoidance, focusing on the critical transition between primary and secondary school.
Children and young people may avoid school due to personal, family, school-related, or wider environmental factors. EBSA is a complex issue often rooted in anxiety or fear, which differs from truancy and requires a specific approach. This resource provides an overview of EBSA, alongside assessments and tools to identify and support individuals struggling with school attendance.
With rising anxiety levels—exacerbated by the lockdowns during the pandemic—this toolkit is essential for professionals and parents who wish to foster nurturing environments that encourage young people to return to education.
Key Features:
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Comprehensive Guide to EBSA: Understand the root causes of school avoidance and its differences from truancy.
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Practical Support: A wide range of strategies and tools to help young people manage anxiety and return to school.
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Focus on Transitions: Specific guidance on supporting the transition from primary to secondary school.
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COVID-19 Impact: Addresses the added complexities brought about by the pandemic, including increased anxiety.
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Engaging Activities: Techniques, checklists, assessments, and activities to foster a supportive environment.
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Collaboration Tools: Tips for working effectively with parents, carers, and school staff to provide holistic support.
Contents Include:
- Definitions of EBSA and its differences from truancy.
- Recognising warning signs, triggers, and the types of anxiety linked to school avoidance.
- Strategies for supporting transitions from primary to secondary school.
- Practical activities for supporting children and young people.
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Individualised support plans and nurturing relationships with key adults.
- Tips for both home and school environments to ease anxiety and support return to the classroom.
Specifications:
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Author: Tina Rae
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Target Audience: SENCOs, Mental Health Leads, Learning Mentors, Teachers, Counsellors, Social Care Professionals, Parents/Carers.
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Tools Included: Checklists, Assessments, Handouts, and Activity Resources.
A must-have resource for anyone working with children or young people experiencing emotionally based school avoidance, this toolkit provides the confidence and practical tools needed to support them in overcoming school-related anxiety and reintegrating into the learning environment.
