Experiences over the past four years have highlighted the current EBSA guidance most widely used by Local Authorities (based on pre-Covid-19 literature) does not work for all young people, and may actually be counterproductive in supporting a return to education for some young people. EBSA has gained a lot of attention following the Covid-19 pandemic, however it is not a new phenomenon. The rise in interest and research in this topic has led to a much broader understanding of the barriers to school attendance experienced by young people, and the impact of this on the whole family.

Working with autistic young people and their families through Spectrum Gaming, and collaborating with the North West EBSA Interest Group (led by Rachel Lyons, Educational Psychologist), we have clearly identified that the old model does not work well for several groups of young people (including autistic young people). As a result there are many children and young people with ‘entrenched EBSA’ who have been unable to re-engage with education, where families, schools and professionals feel very stuck. We are creating a new model for supporting young people who struggle with school attendance so all children can access education, as is their right, and gain the best possible life chances.

The North West has been one area at the forefront of collaborating at a multiagency level and we are hoping to share our findings so far for three reasons:

1. To offer a learning opportunity based on the most up to date research and coproductive work with young people, families and professionals.
2. To give the opportunity to share the rationale for the new guidance we are developing.
3. To hear your views on what we have created so far, before we setart to formally write then publish the guidance in September - to ensure it is the best it can be.

This is a follow on from our initial event on 9th April, where we will share updates and progress on the guidance.

This session is being delivered by:
Dr Rachel Lyons, Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist

Dr Hanna Venton-Platz, Clinical Psychologist

Kirsteen Wilshere, Independent Social Worker

Andy Smith, Creative Director of Spectrum Gaming