In the face of rising concerns over student wellbeing, the phenomenon of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) has emerged as a critical area for educator focus and intervention. This masterclass is specifically designed for educators seeking effective strategies to identify, understand, and support students experiencing EBSA. By addressing the emotional barriers that prevent students from attending school, educators play a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment that encourages regular attendance and engagement.
Delve into the complexities of EBSA, blending theory with practical application, guided by policy and guidelines on attendance.
The Department for Education (DfE) emphasises the importance of regular school attendance and outlines legal responsibilities for schools in securing it. Recent guidance has underscored the necessity of understanding the underlying emotional and psychological factors contributing to absenteeism, urging schools to adopt a more nuanced, supportive approach to attendance issues.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
School Leaders, Senior Leadership Team Members, SENCO’s, Attendance Officers, Inclusion Leads, Pastoral Leads, Senior Mental Health Leads, Teachers, Family Support Workers, Family Liaison Officers.
KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This Masterclass/session will enable you to:
Understand the theories underpinning Emotionally Based School Avoidance and how the pandemic may have impacted EBSA
Explore the definitions, prevalence, and causal factors.
Best practices for developing individualised support plans that address the root causes of avoidance, promoting re-engagement with the school environment.
Gain further knowledge of the ‘Push and Pull’ framework and four factors associated with EBSA
Discuss interventions within an Assess-Plan-Do-Review framework across all school and system levels from one to one, group, class based and systemic processes that will support the successful early identification and intervention for children and young people vulnerable to EBSA.
FACILITATOR
Kelly is a Mental Health and Wellbeing Consultant, serving as the Director and founder of Mind Work Matters Ltd., with a focus on prioritising wellbeing and people in education. Renowned as an award-winning motivational speaker, author, and creator of the ‘Family Matters’ programme, Kelly’s expertise extends to advising on school improvement and cultivating healthy work cultures. Employing a systemic approach, she collaborates with various stakeholders, including local authorities, MATS, and pastoral teams, to promote healthy environments and provide expert training for Senior Mental Health Leads. Her strategies empower individuals in education to thrive amidst challenges, enhancing aspirations, engagement, attendance, and outcomes. Recently, Kelly has spearheaded the DFE Wellbeing for Education Return project and continues to lead education development processes, earning recognition from the DfE, NCB, The Anna Freud Centre, and The Education Support Partnership as a key influencer in mental health and wellbeing within education.
