EBSNA - Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance

When exploring barriers to education, it is important to work closely with the child or young person (CYP), parents/carers and school staff.

The following principles are key to supporting children and young people experiencing EBSNA:

• Put the CYP’s voice at the centre of support planning. 
• Identify and address barriers to attendance as early as possible. 
• Work collaboratively with the CYP, their family and professionals to agree needs and support strategies.
• Ensure families feel heard and understood.
• Avoid blame or assumptions around non-attendance.
• Use a flexible, personalised approach tailored to each CYP's needs.

Our assessment materials include: 

• ATTEND Framework, all Warwickshire schools will receive a copy during the 2025/26 academic year. Please contact your link Attendance Advisor from Warwickshire Attendance Service for further details. Watch our video introducing the ATTEND Framework.
• ATTEND pupil voice cards, included within the ATTEND framework. These support children and young people to think about their barriers to school attendance.  
• ATTEND pupil voice strategy cards (With credit to Derby City Council). These help children and young people to think about possible support ideas.

Additional information to support with planning:

• ATTEND Framework: information for schools, parent/carers and pupils
• ATTEND Framework Support Strategies and Guidance (PDF, 464 KB)
• ATTEND Framework Summary and Planning Form (PDF, 209 KB)
• EBSNA Additional Support Plan (DOCX, 152 KB).
• EBSNA Matrix of Support (PDF, 652 KB).

Additional assessment materials: 

• The Checklist for Attendance Tracking and Support (CATS), (PDF, 887 KB)
• Mapping the Landscape of Your School, Primary (PDF, 90.4 KB)*
• Mapping the Landscape of Your School, Secondary (PDF, 107 KB)*
• The School Wellbeing Cards, available to purchase.

*With credit to Lancashire County Council.

Please see our training videos on: 

• Introducing the EBSNA baseline assessment tools
• Additional EBSNA assessment tools
• For parents - using EBSNA baseline assessment materials
• EBSNA Case Studies