The development of a unified European Protocol for School Attendance Problems (EP-SAP), within the framework of the SOS-Attendance Observatory project, responds to critical gaps identified in the comparative analysis of national and regional protocols in the four participating countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Türkiye).

The protocol is based on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the multicausal explanatory model of school refusal, which consider individual, family, and socio-environmental factors. It is organized into four phases:

• Prevention: Promoting an inclusive school climate and family involvement.

• Early Intervention: Identifying warning signs and training in social skills.

• Intensive Intervention: Personalized responses for students with chronic problems, including reintegration plans and evidence-based therapies.

• Evaluation: Incorporating a structured framework to measure effectiveness and adapt interventions.