Schools across the UK are facing rising levels of school non-attendance, with many children and young people struggling to attend regularly. For some, this absence is rooted in emotional distress—feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, or fear that make the act of going to school feel impossible. This is known as Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
EBSA is not about defiance or a lack of will. Many children and young people desperately want to be in school, to learn, and to be with their friends, but their emotional state creates barriers that feel insurmountable. This can have a profound impact not only on their education, but also on their self-esteem, wellbeing, and relationships. Families too can feel isolated and under pressure, often unsure how to help their child and worried about the consequences of ongoing absence.
This compassionate and practical webinar will:
- Deepen understanding of EBSA by exploring the signs, risk factors, and protective factors that influence attendance.
- Provide trauma-informed strategies for reducing barriers and supporting pupils to re-engage gradually, with sensitivity to their emotional needs.
- Highlight the importance of collaboration, showing how schools, families, and external services can work together to create consistent, caring, and effective support plans.
Designed for teachers, SENCOs, pastoral staff, and school leaders, this session will give you practical tools and greater confidence to support pupils with EBSA. Most importantly, it will encourage a shift in perspective—from viewing non-attendance as a problem to be fixed, to recognising it as a signal of distress that requires compassion, understanding, and thoughtful intervention.
Jessica Parker is a highly experienced Trainer, Education Consultant, Director and Mental Health Professional with experience in creating, managing, and delivering bespoke training on topics such as anxiety, self-harm, resilience, and whole-school mental health strategies. Bringing together academic insight, clinical understanding, and frontline leadership experience across mainstream and alternative education, Jessica’s work bridges research, policy, and practice. She is dedicated to improving mental health outcomes through evidence-based, inclusive, and sustainable approaches
The cost of this is £7.99 per person but if you book before 5th March, you will receive our early bird price of £5.99. We hope that you will join us for this session.
