Evaluating the Back 2 School Program in a Norwegian Setting: A Multicenter Pilot Study

The goal of this interventional pilot study is to gain experiences in using the Back 2 School (B2S) program for youth with school attendance problems in Norwegian community school- and health services. The main questions it aims to answer are: • What is the feasibility of the Back 2 School program when implemented in Norwegian community school- and health services? • What are the changes in school attendance rates, measures of psychological difficulties, and school related self-efficacy following the intervention? • How do participants experience the B2S program? 16 youth (6-16 years) with school attendance problems, their caregivers and the school participate in the B2S program provided by an interdisciplinary team during the school term of 2022-2023. Researchers will compare school attendance rates before entrance to the B2S program, at termination of the program and at 3-month follow-up. Also, researchers will compare reports on psychological difficulties, quality of life, and school related-self efficacy at baseline and after the intervention. Researchers investigate participants experiences with the program through qualitative interviews with youths, caregivers, teachers and service providers. The researchers further aim to prepare and establish resources and infrastructure for a large intervention study, and to establish a well-functioning cooperation between researchers, research organizations, and municipalities in different regions.

Inclusion Criteria:Youth enrolled in a public school within the municipality,aged 6-16 years and in 1st to -10th grade (excluding second semester of the 10th grade),having a level of school absenteeism above 10% during the last 3 months of school (excluding legal absence, e.g., permitted extra holidays),The youth and at least one parent/caregiver understand and speak Norwegian sufficiently to participate in the intervention and complete questionnaires,At minimum one of the parents is motivated for working on increasing the youth's school attendance,The participating families are willing to record baseline levels of school absenteeism and to participate in assessment, intervention procedures, and follow-up assessment,Written informed consent from caregiver with judicial parental rights and responsibilities (usually both parents) to take part in the B2S pilot study is obtained.Exclusion Criteria:Youth with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders cannot be included in the pilot study (exclusion criteria). Also, youth in need of acute and/or more intensive specialist mental health services (e.g., due to suicidal risk, ongoing symptoms of psychosis, ongoing eating disorder) cannot be included.