Early intervention is essential so it is important to spot early signs and consider steps at this time. You can find advice here on this: Early Intervention
Identify risk and protective factors affecting anxiety based absence, including individual, home and school factors.
Ensure that they have a trusting adult at school to connect with.
Allow opportunities for them to explore hobbies/interests at school and experience success.
Introduce them to volunteering opportunities in the community or access to a mentor or counselling service.
Allow them to visit the school at times when it is quiet and they won’t be exposed to sensory overload, i.e. afternoon sessions.
Online learning and check ins over Microsoft Teams.
Gradual exposure to build up a tolerance for school environment can start with walking/ driving around school premises when it is empty, waving at identified trusting adult from a distance, meeting with trusting adult for short sessions for a coffee or activity of interest.
Gradually bringing academics into these sessions with a focus on Mathematics and English or a subject of interest.
Regular quiet times/sensory breaks incorporated into flexible timetable agreed with young person and team around them.
