Return to school after absence plan
A return-after-absence plan is a one-page graded re-entry after a long stretch away through illness, a crisis or anxiety. It sets a soft start, this week’s step from the worry ladder, the key adult and a fixed review day, and is written with the family and the pupil so the return is planned rather than improvised.
A4 PDF · part of the free Calm Classroom pack · print as many as you need
How to use it
Fix the review day when you write the plan. Without it, a part-day arrangement can quietly drift on for months.
If the return involves a shortened day, remember that statutory attendance guidance allows part-time timetables only as a temporary, agreed arrangement with review and end dates. Agree it with your SENCo and attendance lead rather than at the gate.
Background: What is emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA)?
What’s on it · Primary (Reception to Year 6)
A one-page graded re-entry after a long stretch off (illness, holidays, a crisis) — co-produced with family and child, and reviewed on a fixed day so it never quietly goes stale.
Child: ……………… Year: …… First day back: ………
This week's rung (from the Worry Ladder, K5): ……………… Soft start — arrival time & door: ……………… Key adult (by name): ……………… Safe base: ……………… Going-home routine: ……………… What a wobble looks like, and who calls whom: ……………… Temporary reduced timetable? ☐ Yes — hours agreed: ……………… (lawful only if temporary, agreed by school + parents, recorded as Code C2 / authorised; never a behaviour tool, never a drift) END DATE: ……… REVIEW DATE: ……… (the bit no one can miss — the child is entitled to full-time education; part-time is the bridge back)
What’s on it · Secondary (Years 7 to 11)
A one-page graded re-entry after a long gap (illness, holidays, a crisis) — co-produced with family and student, and reviewed on a fixed day so the first day back isn't left to chance.
Student: ……………… Year: …… First day back: ………
This week's rung (from the Worry Ladder, K5): ……………… Soft start — arrival time & door: ……………… Key adult (by name): ……………… Safe base: ……………… Going-home routine: ……………… What a wobble looks like, and who calls whom: ……………… Temporary reduced timetable? ☐ Yes — hours agreed: ……………… (lawful only if temporary, agreed by school + parents, recorded as Code C2 / authorised; never a behaviour tool, never a drift) END DATE: ……… REVIEW DATE: ……… (the bit no one can miss — the student is entitled to full-time education; a managed return is never a managed exit, and off-rolling is prohibited)