Getting Ready for School, Attendance and Emotionally Based School Avoidance course details

This training explores the importance of school readiness, regular attendance and emotional wellbeing for children and young people in foster care. It focuses on understanding emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), the factors that can contribute to it, and the impact of trauma, loss and change on a child’s ability to attend and engage with education. Foster carers will be supported to identify early signs of difficulty and to develop practical strategies to promote positive school routines, emotional regulation and collaborative working with schools and professionals.

Learning outcomes

The training will help foster carers to build their understanding of school attendance challenges and strengthen their role in supporting children and young people to feel safe, supported and ready to learn.

By the end of the course, you will have:

  • an understanding of school readiness and why attendance is particularly important for children in care
  • increased awareness of emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and how it may present
  • insight into how trauma, anxiety and attachment difficulties can affect school attendance
  • practical strategies to support children and young people with routines, transitions and emotional regulation
  • greater confidence in working alongside schools, virtual schools and professionals to support attendance

Standards

Training, Support and Development Standards (TSDS)

  • Standard 1: Understand the principles and values essential for fostering children and young people
  • Standard 2: Understand your role as a foster carer
  • Standard 4: Understand the development of children and young people
  • Standard 5: Understand how to support children and young people to achieve educationally
  • Standard 7: Develop yourself

National Minimum Standards (NMS)

  • NMS 7: Children are supported to achieve their educational potential
  • NMS 8: Children’s emotional and mental health needs are promoted and supported
  • NMS 10: Foster carers work in partnership with schools and other professionals
  • NMS 15: Foster carers are supported through training and development