SUPPORT is being rolled out across Warwickshire to help children who are struggling to attend school.
A comprehensive package of practical resources, launched by Warwickshire County Council, gives schools the tools they need to work alongside families and ensure pupils who experience Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) get the right help at the right time.
Developed with a strong focus on early support and prevention, the resources are designed to help pupils who are showing ongoing signs of distress or unhappiness about attending school. They recognise that attendance difficulties can be linked to a range of needs, including emotional or wellbeing needs, and aim to help children feel safe, understood and supported so they can engage positively with learning.
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) describes the difficulties some children experience in going to school or their education setting. It is not about refusal or a lack of motivation. For these children, attending school can feel overwhelming and emotionally distressing.
These difficulties are often linked to anxiety, emotional wellbeing or unmet needs and are more common for children who are neurodivergent, have sensory differences, or have experienced challenging life events. Without the right support in place early on, these challenges can impact a child’s mental health, friendships and learning, and place additional pressure on families.
The guidance offers schools clear strategies, adaptable tools and training to help identify early signs of EBSNA and respond quickly and appropriately. A strong emphasis is placed on working closely with families and carers to build trust and agree the right support for each child.
Central to the approach is Warwickshire’s graduated response to EBSNA. This provides a clear framework so that schools can assess a child’s needs, plan appropriate support, take action and review progress, ensuring children receive help at the right time and in the right way.
WCC’s education spokesperson Coun Wayne Briggs said: “We understand how distressing it can be for children and families when attending school becomes a challenge. By taking a compassionate and collaborative approach, we want to ensure every child in Warwickshire feels safe, supported and able to thrive in education.”
So far, 143 schools and services have either attended or signed up to attend the face‑to‑face EBSNA training sessions.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ebsna for more details.
