For example: tummy aches, headaches, feeling sick, trouble sleeping, Sunday night anxiety, increased worry, emotional outbursts, tearfulness, difficulty getting dressed or leaving the house, changes in eating, or saying they didn’t want to go to school.

We are looking for parent carers who may be interested in taking part in upcoming EBSA training for schools across West Northamptonshire, by sharing their experiences and perspectives as a parent carer in-person.

We are particularly interested in hearing from families who have/are experienced/experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance and would be willing to share what helped, what didn't help, and what they wish schools and professionals had understood.

You do not need to be an expert in EBSA, we are looking for genuine parent carer voice and lived experience.

If you may be interested in taking part as a parent carer spokesperson, please email us at admin@wnvp.co.uk for further information.

Your voice could help schools better understand the reality of EBSA for children, young people and their families.

We understand that not every child or young person will feel comfortable sharing their experiences, and that is absolutely okay.

However, if your child or young person feels able and would like to share, we would really encourage you to sit with them and support them to complete the Children & Young Person Padlet in whatever way feels right for them.

There is no right or wrong answer, and they can share as much or as little as they want. Their voice and experiences are important, and we want to make sure they have the opportunity to be heard.

Visit it here: https://padlet.com/WNVP/ebsa-your-voice-your-experience-children-young-person-s0247w7535cle0pe1ofm

Alternative provision has been a life saver for him, he thrives on the low demand environment sadly he only gets small amount of hours there each week due to funding which is gutting. My child cannot cope in the mainstream environment and because of that his education is being dictated by funding meaning he is missing out and getting less than the bare minimum

Broken promises, parent blaming, not listening to my child’s voice!

All that seemed to be cared about was that my child’s bum was on the seat and getting his precious attendance mark no concern about his mental wellbeing or if he was even able to learn when he was just trying to get through the day

SASO seemed to actually listen after she’d been used by the school as a threat (she wasn’t aware) still sat waiting for support regarding suitable education seems no one is in a rush to support these children that cannot cope with mainstream classroom/education

To follow through with what they are saying, consistently keeping open communication between them and parent.

To listen to the child it’s them in the enviroment they know exactly how they feel

He’s controlling you

You have to be in school, all your friends can do it so you can

Mum will be in trouble, school isn’t a choice

Early support could have meant it didn’t ever get this bad but I wasn’t believed and listened to and neither was my son

My son hasn’t just decided he doesn’t want to go to school and he gets Abit sad.

He physically CANNOT attend due to the trauma the school environment causes due to unmet needs

Not being able to communicate his needs to staff.

Eventually he was no longer to mask his struggles any more.

The thought of going back terrifies him.