Emotionally Based School Avoidance
What is EBSA and The Anxiety Cycle
(Training videos to share)
from Dr Jerricah Holder
What do we mean by Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)? Here we reconceptualise EBSA as a spectrum of needs and recognise a child or young persons EBSA needs regardless of their current attendance status.
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is a broad umbrella term used to describe a group of children and young people who experience significant and enduring challenges in attending school due to emotional factors, mainly feelings of fear and anxiety.
The EBSA is more than just a child or young person’s perceived dislike for school. The school avoidance is rooted in emotional and physical anguish, and the difficulties can escalate to an extent that the CYP no longer feels able to attend school (even if they want to).
EBSA
as a spectrum of needs
The Anxiety Cycle
from Dr Jerricah Holder
In the The Anxiety Cycle and EBSA Model, we will explore the significant role of anxiety and avoidance as a natural and understandable strategy employed by the child to cope with those overwhelming feelings of fear and worry.
The concept of EBSA can still be new to some; moving away from concepts such as ‘School Avoidance / Refusal’ which indicate a choice, to a more compassionate understanding that difficulties with attendance are often rooted in emotional anguish caused and maintained by a range of school-related anxieties.
We’ve found it especially helpful to share an understanding of what EBSA is and the anxiety cycle which can maintain this with all our schools. Doing so has enabled us to begin our conversations with a shared understanding, thereby quickly enabling more personally effective strategies.
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Access more resources for supporting EBSA here -
EBSA Horizons Online CPD
Weā€™re delighted that more than 900 EPs have joined Jerricahā€™s, EBSA Horizons CPD course. Hearing how the knowledge, skills and resources from this has improved outcomes for CYP, and the systemic initiatives that aim to improve outcomes across Local Authorities has been remarkable to hear.
The courseĀ covers a detailed understanding of how EBSA emerges and is maintained, models of intervention, and strategies for working at the levels of the child, home, and across school.
Find out more and access the huge range of practical resources within Jerricahā€™s course below.
EBSA Horizons
