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Emotionally Based School Avoidance

Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) is a highly complex issue, rooted in anxiety.

Recent reports suggest one in 50 students in England missed at least half of their lessons in 2024 - significantly more than was the case pre-Covid. Department for Education data shows 150,000 children at state schools were categorised as 'severely absent' in 2022-23, which was a 30,000 rise compared to the previous year.

Easy-access help from services like Kooth and Qwell can be a critical part of the support network needed for rising numbers of young people and their families who are impacted by EBSA.

What is EBSA and why is it on the rise?

Dr Lynne Green, consultant clinical psychologist and Kooth's chief clinical officer, describes the complex, distressing and very individual causes of EBSA for rising numbers of young people, as well as its impacts on families and schools.

EBSA: How Kooth can help

Kooth can play a significant role in supporting children and young people struggling with EBSA.

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    Because Kooth is an entirely digital, text-based offer, it's accessible from home without the demands of talking face to face with a professional, which can often feel daunting for many young people experiencing anxiety

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    Kooth is available online 24 hours a day, providing access to helpful resources and therapeutic tools, such as the journal, forums and therapeutic activities

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    Our one-to-one practitioner-led chat sessions and message support are available at convenient times: between 12-10pm during the week and 6-10pm at weekends. This means there’s no need for young people who are at school to miss classes; they can access sessions whenever it’s most convenient for them

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    We offer a range of support options, giving young people the flexibility to choose the right kind of help for them. They can choose from self-directed support or work with our skilled team of practitioners, where chats are individually tailored to their needs

Sasha's Story

Sasha is a secondary school student. Due to her anxiety around school, she is on a reduced timetable while keeping up with her education through online classes. She is just one of many young people across the UK who finds going to school a challenge.

In this article, which is published on our Kooth platform, she shares:

  • her personal experience

  • what she needs from her school

  • the advice she’d give to others

How does EBSA impact children and young people - and what helps?

Dr Hannah Wilson, consultant clinical psychologist and Kooth's head of governance, explains what EBSA is, its causes and what helps young people who may be struggling.

Support depends on the individual's experience but may include being supported to understand their feelings, including the impact of anxiety and the unintended consequences of avoiding anything that makes us anxious.

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