EBSA toolkit
3. What is EBSA?
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) means some young people have trouble going to school because of emotional issues. It’s sometimes called Emotionally Based Non-Attendance (EBNA), especially for older students. In East Sussex, we use EBSA to describe kids who can’t attend school, not just those who choose not to.
EBSA doesn’t just mean missing school. It can also mean avoiding certain classes, places, or people.
The COVID-19 pandemic made EBSA worse because many kids missed important times in school and social activities.
EBSA is different for everyone, so there’s no single fix. But spotting the signs early and getting help can help young people manage changes, stay in school, and work towards their goals.
Why does EBSA happen?
While EBSA can occur at any time, there are some common times when attending school or college can become more difficult for some children and young people. The Profile of Risk of EBSA tool [229.1 KB] [docx] lists a range of common factors, which includes:
- Loss and Change
- Family Dynamic
- Curriculum and Learning
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health
- Death of family, friend, or pet
- Birth of a new child
- Low levels of literacy
- Bullying
- Traumatic and Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Parental conflict
- General Learning Difficulties or SEN
- English as an Additional Language (EAL)
- Life changes like moving house
- Complex family support needs
- Difficult relationships with staff
- Difficulty relating to peers, social isolation
- Family illness
- Poor Parental Mental Health
- Transitions
- Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Changes to home environment (parental separation)
- Being a young carer
- Demanding, pressurise academic environment
- Difficulties with managing and regulating emotions
Key Times to Watch for EBSA
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Ages 4 to 7: When children start school, they need to adjust to being away from their parents.
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Ages 11 to 13: When young people move from primary to secondary school, they may face new challenges.
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Ages 13+: Teenagers might start dealing with emotional or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. They might also face problems with bullying, friendships, self-esteem, or fear of not doing well.
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Age 16+: Transitioning to post-16 education can be a big change. Some students may struggle with the new routines, expectations, and environments. Existing issues might continue, and new challenges may appear.
Sometimes, EBSA seems to appear suddenly, but it often builds up over time. A specific event might trigger a young person’s feelings of being overwhelmed.
Research by Kearney shows that EBSA can happen for several reasons:
- To avoid uncomfortable feelings like anxiety or low mood from school.
- To avoid stressful situations, such as academic pressure or social issues.
- To get attention from parents or family.
- To do something more enjoyable or motivating outside of school.
EBSA often increases when kids move from primary to secondary school.
For more information on EBSA and transitions, please see our EBSA and transitions Czone page.
What children and young people Say About why they experienced EBSA
- Had difficulties fitting in and felt socially isolated
- School was too noisy
- No-one notices the warning signs
- I did not feel safe in school and lacked a safe space
How common is EBSA?
In autumn 2023, 20.1% of children and young people missed a lot of school (Children’s Commissioner, 2024). It’s hard to say how many of these missed school because of EBSA, since some cases vary and reporting can be delayed.
EBSA affects boys and girls equally and isn’t strongly linked to how much money their family has (Ingles et al, 2015; Kearney, 2008; King & Bernstein, 2001).
Young people who have trouble going to school often also have emotional problems like anxiety and depression (Ek & Eriksson, 2013; Finning et al., 2019). A recent NHS report (2022) shows that 11 to 16-year-olds with mental health issues often feel unsafe at school and don’t enjoy learning.