Overcoming Persistent Absence with Student Coaching

Persistent absence refers to prolonged or frequent absences from school, typically defined as missing at least 10% of scheduled school days in a given academic year. This type of absence can have serious consequences for students, including falling behind academically and disengaging from the learning process. In fact, research has shown that persistent absence is a strong predictor of lower academic achievement and other negative outcomes later in life.

We also know having high connectedness to school and high levels of social connection with peers gained while at school help prevent the onset of mental health problems.

Reducing persistent absence is essential not only to prevent the loss of learning but also to protect against the onset of mental health problems.

One effective way to address persistent absence is through student coaching. Student coaching involves working one-on-one with students to identify and overcome barriers to attendance, as well as providing support and resources to help them stay on track with their education.

What causes persistent absence from school?

Persistent absence from school is a serious issue that affects many students around the world. In the  UK persistent absence statistics are alarming and increasing, with over 400,000 students identified as "persistently absent" in the 2019-2020 academic year and in the 2021-2022 academic year the number of students reached over 500,000.

Persistent absence in many cases is caused by school refusal or emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA). There are various factors that may contribute to persistent absence from school, such as personal or family health issues, financial problems, mental health concerns, bullying, lack of motivation or engagement with school work, and negative peer influences. These factors can often overlap and create a complex web of challenges for students to navigate.

It is important for schools and educators to understand the root causes of persistent absence in order to effectively address them. By identifying these underlying factors, schools can provide targeted support and provide solutions that support students to engage with school.

Unpacking Emotionally Based School Avoidance

The terminology around this issue of persistent absence has evolved. While "school refusal" is still commonly used, professionals prefer terms like Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) to more accurately describe the emotional challenges involved. Understanding the terminology is crucial for discussing effective interventions.

Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) or Emotionally Based Non-Attendance, is a rising concern for educators and parents alike. It’s a complex issue, with roots in emotional and psychological challenges, and can have profound impacts on a young person's education and wellbeing.

This blog post explores how coaching can be used as a targeted approach to preventing EBSA offering insights and strategies for headteachers, parents, educators, and school counsellors to help their students access and engage in school.

What is Emotionally Based School Avoidance?

EBSA, Educational-Based School Avoidance, is not just about skipping lessons or constantly being absent from school. It extends to avoiding certain classes or even segments of the school day that the student finds challenging. Even though students might be within the school premises, they could be wandering the corridors or finding hiding spots to miss out on particular parts of the school day where they encounter difficulties.

However, let's be clear; school avoidance extends beyond mere truancy. It's a significant concern encompassing instances where a child or adolescent finds it hard to attend school due to emotional hurdles. Unlike truanting, students experiencing EBSA can be plagued by anxiety or distress at the mere thought of attending. Such behaviour can often signal deeper-rooted troubles or academic pressures.

EBSA can also affect children or young people with special educational needs, for instance, autism or ADHD where the school is a challenging environment for them to be in.

What Causes School Avoidance?

The roots of school avoidance are varied and complex, often tied to emotional and psychological factors. Common causes include:

• Anxiety: Many students experience significant anxiety, ranging from social anxiety to generalised anxiety disorders, making school environments overwhelming.
• Bullying and Social Pressure: Negative experiences with peers can lead to a fear of school, resulting in avoidance.
• Academic Pressure: The stress of high expectations and fear of failure can deter students from attending school.
• School Environment: Students may struggle with certain teachers, subjects, or school culture or sensory issues leading to avoidance.
• Family Issues: Personal or family health concerns, financial difficulties, being a young carer or instability at home can make going to school challenging for students.
• Separation Anxiety: from a parent or caregiver can also influence a child's reluctance to attend school.
• Re-Enforcement Outside of School: Sometimes, students can engage 'reinforcing' behaviours when they are absent from school, such as gaming, watching TV, shopping or just being in their own space at home, leading to unintentional reinforcement of avoidance
• Transitions: Difficulty adjusting to a new school or transitioning between different schools or transitioning between different classes and teachers can also be a factor.

These factors can interact, creating a cycle of avoidance and increasing emotional distress, making it vital to address these issues comprehensively. Because of the complex and individualised reasons for EBSA a personalised approach needs to be used to meet each students needs.

Coaching can offer a practical personalised solution to supporting students overcome EBSA and re-engage gradually with school.

How Can Coaching Help School Avoidance?

When a student is persistently absent from school, their entire support system must come together to help them navigate their challenges. One key approach that has proven effective in addressing persistent absence is student coaching. Coaching can provide an effective way of providing targeted early intervention as part of a whole-school approach to mental health.

Student coaches work closely with students who experience barriers to attending school. They provide one-on-one support and help develop a practical student-led action plan that helps them identify the psychological and practical barriers that cause avoidance.

Additionally, coaches also collaborate with parents, teachers, school leaders and other professionals involved in the student's life to create a holistic approach to supporting the student.

Why Coaching is Effective for EBSA

Coaching has emerged as an effective approach for addressing persistent absence from school. It involves building a positive and supportive relationship with the student, helping them overcome their emotional barriers and develop strategies for managing their attendance.

Coaches work closely with students to identify the root causes of their school avoidance and help them build coping mechanisms. They also collaborate with teachers and parents to create a supportive environment and practical action plans that encourage regular attendance.

Through coaching, students are empowered to take ownership. Some specific reasons why coaching is effective for addressing persistent absence include:

• Individualised Support: Each student's challenges are unique, and coaching allows for tailored support that addresses their specific needs and reduces the barriers that cause avoidance.
• Provide Emotional Support: Coaches are non-judgmental, trusted adults who can create a safe space for the student to explore emotional challenges and difficult feelings contributing to EBSA.
• Develop Trust and Communication: Coaching establishing open lines of communication allows students to express their fears and concerns without judgment while building student confidence and skills to communicate and ask for help and support.
• Empowerment: Through coaching, students gain a sense of agency and control over their education, leading to increased motivation and engagement.
• Collaboration: Coaches work closely with parents, teachers, and agencies to create a supportive network for the student, ensuring that all parties are working together towards the same goal.
• Targeted Strategies: Coaches help students develop strategies specific to their challenges, empowering them to effectively navigate school environments.
• Practical Action Planning: Coaches work with students to create realistic and achievable action plans providing them with a roadmap towards overcoming their avoidance. This can include timeout cards, reduced timetables, calming and reputation strategies, praise and recognition, and making adjustments to meet special needs.

ESBA and Special Educational Needs

For children with special educational needs (SEN), school refusal can be particularly challenging. These students might face additional barriers, such as sensory sensitivities or communication difficulties, which exacerbate their avoidance behaviour. Coaches supporting SEN students with EBSA must have a deep understanding of the student's needs and make appropriate accommodations to support them fully.

Coaches can work alongside SEN coordinators, parents, and teachers to identify specific triggers or challenges that contribute to avoidance behaviour. They can then develop tailored strategies and action plans that address these barriers, allowing for a smoother transition back into regular attendance at school, in addition to the strategies listed above these also include

• Tailored Support Plans: Developing personalized education plans that accommodate the unique needs of each student is crucial.
• Inclusive Practices: Schools should strive to create inclusive environments that recognise and celebrate diversity in learning and participation.

Understanding the intersection between ESBA and SEN enables more effective intervention strategies, ensuring that all students receive the support they need.

Reducing Emotional Barriers Through Coaching

Coaching helps reduce the emotional barriers that contribute to school avoidance by fostering self-awareness and resilience: during coaching programmes, students will develop a range of skills and strategies. These include

• Self-Reflection: Students learn to reflect on their thoughts and feelings, gaining insight into their behaviours and triggers.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Students develop problem-solving skills, enabling them to tackle obstacles proactively.
• Identify Triggers: Students learn to identify specific situations or environments that trigger anxiety or avoidance, coaches will help them understand and navigate and reduce the impact of the trigger.
• Gradual Exposure: Students who are gradually able to access the school environment can help desensitise their fears. Coaching them through what they are thinking, feeling and learning so they can be aware of which individualised coping strategy to use to remain at school.
• Build Resilience: Coaching students to develop a range of coping strategies and resilience skills helps them re-engage in school and overcome triggering feelings or situations.

Through consistent support, students build confidence in their ability to manage their emotions and engage with the school environment. These emotional benefits are crucial for students to overcome the barriers preventing them from attending school regularly.

Discover More About Coaching for EBSA

Coaching offers a dynamic and effective approach to addressing school refusal, providing students with the tools they need to overcome emotional barriers and re-engage with their education. To explore the benefits of coaching further, we invite you to try out our FREE Introduction to Coaching Young People Course. This course will give you insight into how coaching works and how it can be integrated into your support strategies.

If you're ready to deepen your understanding and gain a comprehensive toolkit of resources, consider joining our Coach Training Course. This programme is designed to equip educators, youth workers and counsellors with the skills to effectively support young people in overcoming school refusal and other challenges.

Together, we can enhance the educational experience for all students, ensuring that they have the support and resources necessary to thrive both academically and emotionally.