EBSA Toolkit

Understanding & Supporting Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

A colourful, practical and beautifully illustrated toolkit to help school staff understand anxiety, build emotional safety and support children experiencing school-based distress.

Created by ADHDteacher2, this engaging visual resource breaks down complex information into clear, accessible and easy-to-understand guidance.

With pastel colours, friendly brain characters, memorable illustrations and practical strategies, this toolkit is designed to make important information approachable, meaningful and easy to use in everyday school practice.

Whether you're a teacher, SENCO, teaching assistant, pastoral practitioner or school leader, this resource provides a supportive starting point for understanding EBSA and responding with empathy, consistency and care.

What's Included?

The toolkit features 12 individually illustrated A4 pages, covering:

- Understanding EBSA– What emotionally based school avoidance is and why children may find attending school difficult.

- The Anxiety Iceberg – Exploring the feelings, worries and unmet needs that may sit beneath visible behaviours.

- Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn – Understanding common responses to stress and anxiety.

- The Cycle of Anxiety – How avoidance and short-term relief can maintain anxiety over time.

- Creating Safety – Building predictable, supportive and emotionally safe environments.

- Supporting Regulation – Practical approaches to helping children feel calmer and more secure.

- Re-engagement Pathway – Supporting gradual, personalised steps towards engagement.

- Emotions & Feelings – Recognising, validating and responding to emotional needs.

- Coping Strategies Toolkit– A visual collection of practical strategies to explore with children.

- Helpful Language for Staff – Supportive phrases to use and language that may increase distress.

- Final Reminders & Reflection – Key messages and opportunities for staff reflection.

- Illustrated Cover Page – Bringing the toolkit together as a cohesive resource.

A matching branded closing page is also available within the collection.

Why You'll Love This Resource:

✨ Bright, engaging pastel illustrations in the signature ADHDteacher2 style.

✨ Clear explanations without overwhelming blocks of text.

✨ Practical strategies that can be explored and adapted to individual needs.

✨ Visual diagrams to support staff understanding and discussion.

✨ Positive, compassionate and neurodiversity-affirming messaging.

✨ Ideal for staff training, professional development and everyday reference.

✨ Individual pages can be printed, laminated and displayed.

✨ Designed to encourage connection, understanding and emotional safety.

Perfect For:

- Primary and secondary school teachers

- SENCOs and SEND departments

- Teaching assistants and learning support staff

- Pastoral and wellbeing teams

- Attendance and inclusion teams

- School leaders

- Staff CPD and training sessions

- Staffroom displays and professional reference folders

How Can You Use It?

Print it: Create a colourful reference booklet for staff or display individual pages in staffrooms, SEND offices and pastoral spaces.

Use it digitally: Share and discuss the resource during staff training, team meetings or professional development sessions, in accordance with the resource licence.

Keep it handy: Use the illustrated guidance as a quick reminder when planning supportive approaches for children experiencing EBSA.

💕 The ADHDteacher2 Approach:

Connection before correction.

Safety before pressure.

Understanding before assumptions.

Progress over perfection.

Every child's experience is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but small, compassionate changes can make a meaningful difference.

This toolkit encourages staff to look beyond attendance, listen to children's experiences and work collaboratively to create supportive school