EBSA - Emotionally Based School Avoidance

EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance) is when a child is unable to attend school due to anxiety or emotional distress - not because they're choosing to avoid school, but because they genuinely cannot. EBSA can be caused by: anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, attachment difficulties, or social difficulties. If your child has EBSA, their anxiety is real and not something punishment will fix. An EHCP is appropriate for EBSA if the child has or may have special educational needs - and most children with EBSA do.

Flexi-schooling - part-time school attendance

Flexi-schooling is an arrangement where a child attends school part-time and is educated otherwise (at home or with an alternative provider) for the remainder of the time. It's not a legal right, but schools and councils can agree to it. Flexi-schooling is useful for children who: need time to build confidence, benefit from a combination of school and home education, have medical appointments or needs, or are transitioning (e.g., moving to full-time schooling). Flexi-schooling can be temporary or ongoing. Your EHCP can specify a flexi-schooling arrangement.

EOTAS - Education Other Than At School

If a child cannot attend mainstream school, the local authority has a duty to arrange suitable education - this is called EOTAS (Education Other Than At School). EOTAS might be: tuition at home, education at an alternative provision centre, online schooling, or a combination. If your child is excluded, unable to attend due to anxiety or health, or unable to access mainstream school, you can request EOTAS. The provision must be suitable to your child's age, ability, and aptitude. EOTAS should not be a punishment or a secondhand alternative - it should be planned carefully with your child and family.

What to do if your child can't access school

First, understand why. Is it anxiety? Physical health? Bullying? Unmet special needs? Once you understand the cause, you can address it. If your child has SEND causing the school avoidance (like anxiety disorder, autism, ADHD affecting ability to attend), request an EHCP assessment. The EHCP can specify: therapeutic support, alternative provision, flexi-schooling, EOTAS, or a combination. Don't let your child be labelled as a "school refuser" or "truanting" - school avoidance is usually about unmet needs, not bad behaviour.

Legal protections

Under the Education Act 1996, a child must receive education suitable to their age, ability, and aptitude - but that doesn't have to mean full-time attendance at a mainstream school. If your child cannot access mainstream school, the council must arrange suitable education. You have the right to be involved in planning alternative provision. If the council refuses to arrange suitable education or offers inadequate provision, you can complain or take further action.