A set of child-centred cards that help children and young people communicate what school feels like for them. Grounded in resilience research, the cards reflect the key factors that shape a child's sense of belonging, connection, and wellbeing. Using a simple card-sorting activity, children can share what is working well and what feels more difficult, giving adults a clearer understanding of the strengths and barriers influencing their experience of school.
Support for Schools
Dr Jerricah has designed a range of resources for schools to support children experiencing barriers to attendance, anxiety, and wellbeing through practical tools and professional development, including the School Wellbeing Cards for use within school settings, and the EBSA Horizons programme. These resources support staff teams to build a deeper understanding of children’s experiences and guide more informed, consistent, and relational approaches across the school.
School Wellbeing Web App
The School Wellbeing Cards Web App is a digital version of the cards, designed to help children and young people safely share their experiences of school, including barriers to wellbeing and attendance, as well as strengths and protective factors.
Accessible across devices and suitable for use in school, at home, or remotely, the app supports child-centred conversations in a flexible and engaging way. Responses can be securely saved, downloaded, and shared to support a more joined-up understanding between families, schools, and professionals.
School Wellbeing Cards
EBSA Horizons for School Staff
This online interactive course, in which Dr Jerricah Holder utilises video and highly engaging animations to provide an overview of psychological models essential to understanding the needs of children who find it difficult and distressing to attend school. Moving away from the language of school refusal and with increased emphasis on a more compassionate and child-centred approach, Dr Jerricah Holder shares her ‘Integrated Model of EBSA’ enabling education, health and social care colleagues to develop a greater understanding of the complex and often multi-faceted aspects of school avoidance behaviours.
This in-depth CPD course will give you everything you need to know about EBSA, from early identification and intervention, all the way through to supporting children with the most significant needs and more entrenched school non-attendance.
Frequently asked questions
What age are the School Wellbeing Cards suitable for?
The School Wellbeing Cards are designed for children aged 7 and above, although younger children may sometimes use them with support from an adult. There are also adapted versions available, including the Special School edition with Widgit symbols, and the College Wellbeing Cards designed for older young people preparing for or attending college.
Who in school might use the cards?
The cards can be used by a range of staff, including:
• SENCOs
• pastoral leads
• learning mentors
• mental health leads
• attendance leads
• educational psychologists working with the school
They are often used when children begin to show signs of distress related to school,
changes in emotional wellbeing, or emerging attendance concerns.
Is there guidance or training available on how to use the cards?
Yes. When you purchase the School Wellbeing Cards, you will have access to a free video training that explains how to introduce and use the cards with children. The training explores how to:
• introduce the activity in a way that helps children feel safe
• use active listening when children are sharing their experiences
• explore the child’s perspective with curiosity
• move towards collaborative problem-solving
Many schools find the training helpful for ensuring staff feel confident facilitating the activity.
How long does the activity usually take?
The card sorting activity typically takes 30–60 minutes, depending on the child and how much discussion takes place. Some children may benefit from completing the activity over two shorter sessions, particularly if they need time to reflect or talk about their experiences.
How is this different from a questionnaire or survey?
Unlike questionnaires, the cards are designed to support a conversation. They allow children to explore their experiences in a flexible and visual way, helping them express thoughts and feelings that might otherwise be difficult to explain.
Can the cards support early identification of school distress?
Yes. The cards can be particularly helpful before difficulties become more entrenched, helping schools recognise and respond to a child's experiences early.
Is training available for school staff?
Yes. EBSA Horizons is an online interactive CPD platform supporting schools in developing compassionate, evidence-informed approaches to attendance and school distress. EBSA Horizons helps schools: better understand children's experiences of school, support emotionally based attendance challenges, develop practical, evidence-informed strategies, strengthen early identification of school distress, support children experiencing significant or persistent non-attendance, build collaborative approaches with families.
Can the cards be used across a whole school or service?
Yes. Many schools purchase several sets so they can be used across pastoral, SEN, and wellbeing teams. The interactive web app also offers multi-user licences, allowing organisations to manage access across teams or services.
How do schools typically implement the cards?
Schools often begin by using the cards within their pastoral or SEN support processes, particularly when a child begins to show signs that school may be feeling difficult. The insights from the activity can help inform: conversations with families, pastoral or SEN support planning, attendance support discussions, consultation with psychologists or external professionals. Many schools find the cards most helpful when they become part of a wider child-centred approach to understanding attendance and wellbeing, helping staff build a clearer understanding of the child's experience before planning support.
Can schools purchase the cards using a purchase order or invoice?
Yes. Schools and services can purchase the cards using a purchase order or invoice if required. Many organisations prefer to order directly through the website, but invoices can easily be arranged for schools, local authorities, and services. If you require an invoice, please click here to email and request one.
What's the difference between the physical cards and the web app?
The physical School Wellbeing Cards and the interactive web app explore the same themes around a child's experience of school and follow the same card-sorting structure. The physical cards are typically used in person with a trusted adult, allowing the child to handle and sort the cards while talking through their experiences. The web app offers a digital version that can be used across laptops, tablets, and phones. It allows schools to: complete the activity remotely if needed, securely save the child's responses, generate summaries that can be shared with relevant staff, manage access across teams through organisational licences. Some schools use both versions together, depending on the child and the situation.