EBSA & Attendance Support

Understanding Barriers & Reducing Overwhelm.

Fern Path begins by understanding the whole picture. Support includes:

• Push-pull analysis - identifying emotional, sensory, relational and environmental pressures.

• EBSA screening - early identification using current EBSA frameworks.

• Multi-factor assessment- exploring anxiety, executive functioning, relationships, transitions and school culture.

• Family voice - understanding home-based barriers and strengths.

• School voice - noticing patterns, triggers and unmet needs in school.

  This creates a shared understanding that reduces blame, increases compassion and guides next steps.

Safety, Stability & Regulation

Before any reintegration planning, we focus on predictability, emotional safety and regulation.

Support includes:

• Safety planning - calm, relational plans that reduce overwhelm.

• Stabilisation sessions- grounding routines, co-regulation and gentle learning re-entry.

• Executive function support - reducing cognitive load and building readiness.

• Sensory profiling - noticing sensory triggers and designing supportive environments.

• Predictable communication - reducing uncertainty for families and schools.

  This stage helps the young person feel safe enough to begin reconnecting with learning.

  Re-Engagement & Learning Pathways

  Once stability is in place, we build a realistic stepwise pathway back towards learning.

  Support includes:

• Alternative learning pathway - structured, predicable learning outside school while readiness builds.

• Re-engagement sessions - relational, low-demand learning that rebuilds confidence.

• Gradual exposure planning - gentle steps back towards school-based expectations.

• Attendance as safeguarding - aligning with DfE guidance.

• Transition support - safe movement between settings or phases.

  This creates a pathway that feels achievable, compassionate and sustainable.

  Family Support & Coaching

  Families often feel overwhelmed, unheard or unsure what to do next. Fern Path provides calm, attuned support that helps them feel grounded and confident.

  Support includes:

• Family coaching - understanding anxiety cycles, communication and regulation.

• System navigation - helping families understand processes, expectations and options.

• Home routines - building predictability and reducing morning overwhelm.

• Strength based planning - noticing what is working and building from there.

  Families become partners in the process, not observers.

  School Support & Professional Guidance

  Fern Path supports schools to respond in line with DfE attendance guidance, the SEND & AP Improvement Plan and trauma informed practice.

  Support includes:

• Staff coaching - relational, predictable responses to anxiety and avoidance.

• Provision mapping - designing support that meets needs without escalation.

• Inclusion audits - noticing systemic barriers and strengths.

• Graduated response planning - early identification and targeted intervention.

• Attendance strategy alignment - ensuring school systems support re-engagement.

• Casework guidance - calm, structured support for complex EBSA cases.

  This strengthens school practice and reduces escalation.

  Outreach & Community-Based Support

  For pupils who cannot currently access school, Fern path offers outreach support.

• Outreach sessions - relational support in home or community settings.

• Early-help pathways - preventing escalation through early relational intervention.

• Community connection - gentle, social re-engagement.

• Holistic planning - aligning school, family LA and external services.

  This provides a bridge for pupils who are not yet ready for school-based environments.

  Fern Path offers a range of flexible support pathways designed around the individual needs of each young person, family or setting. Samples are shown below.