Officially recognise Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) as a diagnosis.

Rejected 13 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the UK Government to officially recognise Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) as a distinct medical and mental health diagnosis.

Because EBSA is not classified as an official medical diagnosis, families face a postcode lottery for support. Parents are frequently threatened with fines, prosecution, or child protection investigations instead of receiving empathy. Formally diagnosing EBSA will ensure schools must provide legal attendance adjustments, protect families from punitive fines, and unlock vital NHS mental health funding for early intervention.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can only accept petitions seeking action on matters which are the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament. It is not the UK Government or Parliament’s responsibility to recognise medical conditions. We are therefore not able to accept this petition.

You could start a new petition requiring schools to take account of children experiencing EBSA.

You may also be interested in signing this open petition:
'Create national "Low Demand School Hubs" for students with EBSA, ODD, and PDA'
Create national "Low Demand School Hubs" for students with EBSA, ODD, and PDA

Timeline

21 May 2026	Petition opened for signatures
18 Jun 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 13

Status Rejected

Department Department of Health and Social Care

Rejected 18 Jun 2026

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