Refusing to go to school
Schools have a legal duty to safeguard the children on their roll, and all children have a right to a full-time, suitable education. If a school can’t account for a student, it becomes a safeguarding concern for them and, as a parent or carer, you also have a duty to ensure your child attends school.
Schools are doing their duty when they make sure you are doing all you can to get your child into school.
In order to work with school, it would be helpful for you to log all attempts to get your child to school, and what happened if they were not able to attend. You should keep in regular contact with the school and be open with them about the difficulties you and your child are dealing with.
When a child has been refusing to attend school and their behaviour and/or anxiety appears to be worsening, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
Speak to your GP or another medical or mental health professional
As a first step, you should take your child to your GP and explain what has been happening.
If the GP (or any medical or mental health professional) feels that the child is not currently fit to attend school, ask for a letter to the Council to be provided, explaining this. Evidence of this type would provide a documented explanation for the child’s non-attendance.
You can ask your GP to refer your child to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (known as CAMHS), although thresholds for accessing this service are often high.
Support from an Education Welfare Officer
If the school feels it would help, they can ask for an Education Welfare Officer (EWO) to get involved.
This can be positive, and you can talk to the EWO about suggestions that may help support your child.
EWO involvement does not mean you will immediately get fined or be in trouble.
Some academies also have their own internal EWOs and attendance officers – they can try to help too, but please note that only a Bromley Council EWO has the power to seek penalty action, such as fines.
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is when a child or young person finds it very difficult to attend school due to emotional reasons, often linked to anxiety. EBSA can affect any child, but it’s especially common in those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), who may experience heightened anxiety or face additional barriers to attending school. Understanding EBSA in the context of SEND helps ensure that the support is tailored, inclusive, and aligned with statutory guidance.
Learn more →
Further help and support
You may also find the following websites useful:
Bromley Council – School attendance →
Bromley Council – Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) →
IPSEA – school anxiety →
YoungMinds – Supporting your child with school anxiety and refusal →