Local Authority EBSNA Pathway

Local Authority EBSNA Pathway

There may be times you feel you need further professional support and advice to make appropriate interventions. The School EBSNA Pathway below outlines how Local Authority agencies can offer support to schools and the processes for accessing them.

School EBSNA Pathway

From September 2023, there will be a new pathway to get advice from the iSEND Service. They can advise on how to help young people who are not attending school due to factors relating to EBSNA (also referred to as emotionally based school non-attendance – EBSNA). 

1. The school/professional completes the EBSNA Toolkit Appendix 1 and 2 (whole school tools). 
2. The child or young person (CYP) is identified as EBSNA*. For severe non-attendance where a child or young person meets one of the following criteria, go straight to step 4.
   • Has never attended school
   • Has not attended for more than a term 
   • Has below 50% attendance and is known to social care.
3. The School works through the EBSNA Toolkit appendices 3 to 6 to develop a support plan and attempt reintegration. 
4. The School/professional submits a request for the child or young person to be discussed at a SEND Forum by emailing EBSA@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. The request must include: 
   • EBSNA Formulation Tool (Appendix 6) 
   • EBSNA Consent Form 
5. The child or young person will be discussed at the SEND Forum. Possible outcomes include: 
   • Agreement to initiate a statutory assessment.
   • The case is referred to the iSEND advisory team (Specialist Teachers, Educational Psychologists and SEND Inclusion Advisors).
   • High-needs funding is agreed. 
   • A referral to an alternative provision is made. 
   • The case is referred to the Pupil in Missing Education panel. 
6. The outcome is shared with the original referrer in the SEND Forum and by email.

View a flowchart of the School EBSNA Pathway (PDF, 272KB)