Sarah - thank you for pointing us all in the direction of this information in regard to Emotional Based School Refusal. It does make interesting reading (I haven't quite finished reading the 72 pages yet!!). There is a smaller, abridged version of sorts on the Nth Somerset Council site which had this quote that I found summed up when SR is present when... "Stress exceeds support, when risks are greater than resilience and when 'pull' factors that promote non-attendance overcome the 'push' factors that encourage attendance." (Thambirajah et al 2008).

On this site they also mention EOTAS and an Inclusion Advisory team. Has anyone had experience with the Inclusion Advisory team?
Seems that some councils are way ahead and others have no idea. How can some have these guidelines and others threaten court action?
Here are the website links to the info Sarah mentioned and the other, Somerset site (both very long urls).
I am sure, Sarah, that you will be able to make reference to these materials when discussing this. I am not convinced the right name is yet in place, although Emotionally based does sound better than just School Refusal.
Linda

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/learning/west_sussex_grid_for_learning/policies_and_guidance/inclusion_equalities_sen_ld/inclusion/inclusion_of_learners_with_soc/emotionally_based_school_refus.aspx

http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/849E02A0-70B7-4704-8191-AA48E85E71C5/0/Everychildmatters_Emotionallybasedschoolrefusalguidance.pdf