Kayleigh Forbes
Assistant Headteacher at Cranbury College.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in education have gained increasing recognition in recent years. As educators, parents, and policymakers strive to create inclusive, supportive environments, understanding and implementing effective SEMH support strategies becomes crucial. This blog aims to explore these strategies, offering insights into how they can be applied to help students with SEMH needs reach their full potential.
How many students in your class have mental health difficulties?
One in five students experience mental health difficulties.
420,000 children and young people in England are treated for mental health problems every month.
Most common: Emotional disorders, anxiety and depression
SEMH
Social - Difficulty forming and maintaining friendships. Social Isolation.
Emotional - Difficulty with understanding and regulating emotions in a pro-social way. COping with life's challenges.
Mental Health - Difficulties impacting mental well ebing and sense of self and how a CYP views themselves fitting in society.
These needs can manifest as difficulties in managing emotions, forming relationships, or coping with stress and mental health issues. Children with SEMH needs might exhibit challenging behaviours, withdrawal, anxiety, or depression, impacting their learning and social interactions
SEN vs SEMH
SEN - Cognitive processing affects their ability to learn.
SEMH - Social and Emotional wellbeing effects their ability to learn.
There is an overlap (ASC) - Autism Spectrum Condition.
What Causes SEMH needs?
Aces, family dynamics, Trauma, Autism, genetics, neglect
Risk and Protective factors influencing SEMH
Life prospects:
1 in 2 students are permanently excluded.
School to prison pipeline. - These students are more likely to end up in a prison. By the age of 20, 30% of students that have been diagnosed with SEMH do not have any qualifications.
Strategies to support SEMH
Understanding your role.
1. Understanding your role
You're a paramedic, not a surgeon. Role to do everything you can to fight for your child to get the help that they need. Don't underestimate the power of your role, but take the pressure off at the same time.
2. Individualised Education Plans (IEPs)
For students with significant SEMH needs, IEPs can be extremely beneficial. These plans should be developed collaboratively with teachers, parents, and, where appropriate, the students themselves. They should outline specific goals, support strategies, and interventions tailored to the individual student.
3. Social Skills Training
Many students with SEMH needs benefit from explicit teaching of social skills. This can include how to recognise and manage emotions, understand and respect others' feelings, and develop effective communication skills.
4. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques
Mindfulness exercises and stress reduction techniques can be beneficial. These practices help students develop greater self-awareness and coping skills, reducing anxiety and improving concentration.
5. Mentoring and Counseling
Providing access to mentoring and counseling services can be a game-changer. These services offer students a safe space to express their feelings and work through challenges with the guidance of a trusted adult.
Nervous system and its impact:
Fight, flight and freeze - Responses when meeting discomfort of any kind.
Responses reflect attitudes to education.
How do they manage SEN at MES
Purple pathways - students with cognitive needs
Alternative curriculum
Indigo - another support base
TA
Open door to discuss with SENCo
Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence
A - Disagreement outside of the classroom.
the student did not want to feel restricted by engaging in the lesson.
B - Standing up without permission, throwing things in anger
C - Removed from the class and discussed with quietly.
Patterns:
Number of challenging students that are girls is increasing currently.
Leadership in the classroom
Fine balance between authority and warmth.
Avoid:
Dictator, Doormat and Yo-yo
Trips to find that balance: posture,
Pause - Increase reaction time.
Calm - Lower your voice.
Talk slower and use less words. Facial expression - genuine
warmth and keeping it neutral - Poker face, don't raise your eyebrows.
Body language
7% of our meaning is expressed via spoken word.
38% is through tone and voice.
55% of Communication is via body language.
Pro tips:
Smile more,
Stand tall
take up space
Eye contact (if appropriate)
hand gestures to emphasise
Think L.A.S.T.
1 - Listen, actively listen to students, mirror what the student says
2 - Acknowledge, the problem; this helps to solve it and show empathy
3 - Solve, the problem by offering a resolution or re-direct to another solution.
4 - Thank, This acknowledges the interaction and role models pro-social interaction
What adaptive teaching could you employ for fidgety students?
Standing desk
Movement breaks
On Patrol student walks
fidget/ Stress toys
Extension tasks
Scaffold to do lists (post-it notes) (Chunking)
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