12/10/2026
❗️REMINDER - RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS/ CARERS OF CHILDREN WITH EBSA ENROLLED AT A MAINSTREAM SCHOOL OR SETTING IN CUMBRIA (CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND!):
❓Are you a parent or guardian supporting a child who struggles to attend school due to Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and is enrolled in a mainstream school in Cumbria? We want to hear your story. Please support this research by completing this survey, or please share this post with any parents/ carers who may be interested.
➡️ You can find out more and take part in the research here: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/cumbria/behind-the-absence-a-qualitative-study-on-the-impact-of-emotion
➡️ The University of Cumbria are conducting a research study exploring parental lived experiences of supporting children with Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA). Your insights will help contribute to research on this under explored area, helping to improve our understanding of what life is like and what might support families like yours.
❓ What is EBSA?
❗ EBSA is currently not recognised as a clinical diagnosis. For the purpose of consistency and clarity, this study has elected to use the following definition of EBSA.
A child is considered to have EBSA if:
➡️ They are persistently absent from school (over 10% of school days missed)
➡️ This absence is due to emotional distress and/or anxiety, and not related to other unauthorised absence reasoning such as illness, holiday etc.
➡️ They exhibit behaviours related to emotional distress and/or anxiety regarding school. This will look different for every child, however, may include:
➡️ Excessive crying,
➡️ Saying they feel sick when they otherwise appear to be well
➡️ Unable to get out of bed on school days
➡️ Unable to get ready for school
➡️ Unable to leave the house
➡️ Unable to get in and/or leave the car
➡️ Aggressive outbursts
These are only examples, and a child does not have to exhibit all these behaviours.
❓ What participation involves:
➡️ Completing an online survey, taking approx. 20 – 30 minutes. ➡️ The survey will not ask for any specific identifiable information, such as your child’s name, school name, or your name. You are free to write as much or as little as you wish for each question, and can leave questions blank if you would prefer.
➡️ Sharing your experiences, challenges, and perspectives as a parent/ carer on EBSA.
➡️ Discussing what you think could help you and your family.
❓ Who can take part:
Parents/guardians of children aged between 5-16 years of age, enrolled in mainstream schools and settings across Cumbria experiencing EBSA.
Please note: We will not ask for any identifying information in this survey, including the specific age of your child/ young person, their school etc.
The researcher, Steph, is employed by Cumberland Council within the Education, SEND and Inclusion department. This research project, however, is conducted in her capacity as an independent researcher, not as part of her operational role within the Council. While the study is funded by the Cumberland Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), the research process including recruitment, data collection, analysis, and interpretation is carried out independently from her line-management structure and day-to-day responsibilities.
The findings of the study only may be shared with Cumberland Council to inform strategic learning, but no identifiable information about participants will be shared, and Steph’s employment position will not influence how data are collected, analysed, or reported.
The survey will close on October 30th.
Any questions, please email [email protected]
