Emotional Barriers to School Attendance (EBSA)

We now use the term Emotional Barriers to School Attendance (EBSA) instead of Emotionally Based School Avoidance. This change reflects newer research and helps us focus on the broader factors—at home, in school, and around the child—that can make attending school difficult. All the resources on this page are still useful and up‑to‑date.

The pathway is in line with evidence based suggestions and research for effective working to supporting children with EBSA particularly offering early intervention, increased partnership working, shared awareness of push and pull factors and resources and measures to better explore the child’s voice and help parents and children feel PART of their support plans in helping them return to school.

EBSA Pathway of Support Information (PDF, 776.9 KB)

Phase 1: Parents Webinar on Emotional Barriers to School Attendance behaviour

Research shows that the earlier support can be offered when children are experiencing difficulties in attending school the more successful the outcomes. It is critical that parents and schools work closely together to have a partnership agreement and joint plan in place that can be reviewed regularly. With additional services becoming involved at different times if needed.

Please note that this webinar uses the old definition of EBSA which has now been updated to reflect up to date research on EBSA, and the importance of the language used around barriers to school attendance.

This is a recorded webinar facilitated by Kent Educational Psychology and working with Kent Parents and Carers Together (PACT) where the topic of ‘what is anxiety’ and emotional barriers to school attendance are discussed alongside parents sharing their lived experience of how their children experienced these difficulties. Practical strategies and suggestions are discussed and ways to support themselves and work constructively with their child’s school. Please share this freely with parents and carers.

To access the Kent EBSA parent/carer resource pack please complete the following brief evaluation form: Emotional Barriers to School Attendance (EBSA) Phase 1 Evaluation - Parents & Carers – Fill in form

On completion of the evaluation form you will receive a copy of the parent/carer EBSA resource pack via email within 5 to 10 working days.

Phase 1: Emotional Barriers to School Attendance Training for professionals part 1

This is a 45 minute webinar sharing the latest theories and frameworks in understanding EBSA, early identification, predisposing factors that can lead to EBSA and understanding EBSA within the context of anxiety and the anxiety maintenance cycle.

Phase 1: Emotional Barriers to School Attendance Training for professionals part 2

This is a one hour webinar exploring practical approaches to supporting children and young people experiencing EBSA within an Assess-Plan-Do-Review process. The focus will be basing strategies within the EBSA frameworks identified in the first webinar and highlighting child voice measures, parent and pupil interviews, strategies and interventions depending on the areas of need highlighting by the child or young person and templates to use within school systems for effective information gathering, planning and reviewing.

Completing the MS form below then grants you access to the full, comprehensive and updated EBSA resource pack which will be referred to within Targeted support meetings and the Phase 2 multi-agency case consultations.

To access the Kent EBSA resource pack and/or attend an EBSA case consultation, please complete the MS form as part of your evaluation of the Phase 1 EBSA training  Thank you.

On completion of the MS form and the evaluation form you will receive information on the Phase 2 EBSA multi-agency case consultations along with the comprehensive EBSA resource pack within five to 10 working days.

There is an expectation that staff implement the strategies outlined in the phase 1 training to support pupils presenting with EBSA needs in their setting, therefore we ask that you wait at least six weeks after accessing the initial training (phase 1) before attending a case consultation.