Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA)

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) is a term used to describe the difficulty children and young people experience in attending school due to emotional reasons, such as stress, anxiety and/ or feeling overwhelmed. This can result in prolonged periods of absence from school.

Other terms EBSNA is known by include:

  • Emotionally Based School Refusal (EBSR)
  • Anxiety Related Non-Attendance (ARNA)
  • Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
  • School refusal

All non-attendance should be met with curiosity, compassion and partnership.

If you are looking for support for your child or for someone you care for or support, please know that you are not on your own. We hope this webpage will provide you with the information you need.


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