Emotionally Related School Avoidance (ERSA)

Emotionally related school avoidance (ERSA) describes a group of children and young people who experience difficulties attending school which can be linked to school, parents, carers or child factors as well as wider societal factors. ERSA can range from children and young people who are still attending school, but present with anxiety through to those with no attendance at school for an extended period. Although children’s and young people’s behaviours might not be recognisable as ERSA at the early stages, they highlight their vulnerability to becoming ERSA if action is not taken. Children and young people with ERSA often do want to attend school, however, their anxiety and absence of necessary coping skills leaves them unable to do so.