Finding My Way Back - An EBSA Workbook for Teens

Finding My Way Back – A Workbook for Teens Struggling with School

When school starts to feel impossible, it can be hard for a young person to explain what’s going on, even to the people who love them. This gentle, 10-page workbook gives teens a calm, low-pressure space to make sense of their feelings about school, notice what’s getting in the way, and plan small steps forward at their own pace.

It’s created by The SEN Advocate for young people experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), anxiety around school, or overwhelm. It’s written for the teen to fill in themselves, ideally alongside a trusted adult.

WHAT’S INSIDE (10 A4 PAGES)

1. Cover – Finding My Way Back

2. Start Here – about me, what I want adults to understand, and one small goal

3. My School Story – what changed, what made it harder and what helped

4. How School Feels for Me – feelings across the school day and where I feel stress in my body

5. My Triggers and Early Warning Signs – a green, amber and red check-in, plus what helps at the amber stage

6. Safe People and Safe Places – trusted adults and calmer spaces at home, at school and in the community

7. What Helps Me Feel Safer – sensory, communication, environment and recovery supports

8. My Morning Plan – what helps before getting out of bed, plus a backup plan for hard days

9. My Small Steps Back – a step-by-step ladder from easiest to hardest

10. When Today Feels Too Hard – signs, in-the-moment strategies, helpful words and a recovery plan

WHO IT’S FOR

• Teens (roughly 11–18) finding school difficult or not attending

• Neurodivergent young people, including autistic teens and those with ADHD or PDA

• Parents and carers looking for a gentle way to start the conversation

• SENCOs, pastoral staff, ELSAs, tutors, therapists and family support workers

WHY IT HELPS

• It puts the young person’s voice at the centre.

• Completed pages can be shared with school to support reintegration plans, support plans, or EHCP and SEN support discussions.

• It focuses on small, doable steps rather than pressure to “just go back”.

• The illustrations are warm and calming, and suit teens rather than looking babyish.

WHAT YOU’LL RECEIVE

• One high-resolution A4 PDF (10 pages)

• An instant digital download, so nothing is posted

HOW TO USE
Download, print at home or at a print shop, and fill in by hand. Pages can be completed in any order, and there’s no need to finish the whole book. You can print extra copies of pages like the morning plan and the hard-days page as often as you need.

COPYRIGHT AND TERMS OF USE
© 2026 The SEN Advocate. All rights reserved.
This workbook is protected by copyright, and every page carries The SEN Advocate copyright notice.

You may:

• Print copies for your own family or for the young person you support

• Share completed pages with the young person’s school or the professionals supporting them

You may not:

• Resell, share, upload or distribute the file, in whole or in part

• Edit it, remove the copyright notice, or claim the work as your own

• Use it in commercial products or paid services

Schools, local authorities or organisations wanting to use it across several students or staff are welcome to message me about a multi-use licence.

PLEASE NOTE

• This is a digital product, and no physical item will be sent.

• Colours may vary slightly depending on screen and printer.

• This workbook is a supportive resource and isn’t a substitute for professional advice. If a young person is in distress or at risk, please contact their GP, CAMHS or, in an emergency, 999.