Indicators and risk/resilience factors

Possible indicators

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While EBSNA is more common in secondary students, primary students also increasingly suffer from this. For many students’ signs of school avoidance can emerge during primary school. If not addressed early, the issue can escalate, requiring more intensive intervention. Identifying EBSNA early, such as when attendance drops to 90%, and providing timely support is crucial to encourage a quick return to school.

 

Possible indicators include: 

· Difficulty attending school with periods of prolonged absence

· Child reluctant to leave home and stays away from school with the knowledge of the parent/carer

· For younger children, reluctance to leave parents or get out of the car 

· Regular absence 

· Frequent absences for minor illnesses

· Patterns in absences, for example, particular days and/or subjects, after weekends and holidays

· Reluctance to attend school trips 

· The young person expresses a desire to attend classes but is unable to do so

· Anxiety on separation and dependence on family members e.g. worry expressed about the safety of those at home 

· Evidence of under-achievement in learning 

· Social isolation and avoidance of classmates or peer group 

· Challenging behaviours, particularly in relation to specific situations at school 

· Severe emotional upset with excessive fearfulness, outbursts of temper and complaints of feeling ill on school days 

· Depression, low self-esteem and low confidence

· Confusion or extreme absent mindedness due to lack of concentration 

· Physical changes i.e. sweating, sickness, aching limbs, headaches, panic attacks, abdominal pain, rapid weight loss or gain

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Download the EBSNA risk screening tool to identify at risk students