Some children and young people may be particularly struggling with barriers to school attendance. Assessment tools can be used to help understand the underlying reason(s) behind non-attendance in order to plan appropriate interventions and supports.

Assessment tools

Assessment scales for pupils and parents (‘School Refusal Questionnaire’): Targeted Intervention and Data Gathering – Forth Valley & West Lothian Regional Improvement Collaborative (glowscotland.org.uk)

Exploring children and young people’s views: Booklet – Tools and Resources to Explore CYP Views

Guidance

Emotionally Based School Avoidance guidance developed by West Sussex County Council: Emotionally Based School Avoidance | West Sussex Services for Schools

Interventions

Assessment into the specific barriers that individual children and young people are experiencing around non-attendance should be the first focus.

If it is assessed to be appropriate, some children and young people may benefit from support to plan gradual steps towards their goal (such as going to meet a friend at the park or going to a specific class at school), at a pace that works for them.

Tools to help support gradual exposure: Graded Exposure