SEMH (social, emotional, mental health)
SEMH needs are a type of special educational need where a child communicates through behaviour in response to unmet social, emotional or mental health needs.
Children with SEMH needs are often dysregulated, which means that they have difficulties in managing their emotions or their behaviour. They can show inappropriate responses to their emotions. They can feel scared, anxious and misunderstood.
It is estimated that around 150,000 children in mainstream and special schools are experiencing SEMH challenges.
Some neurodiverse conditions, such as ADHD and ASD, can make it harder for the child to make sense of the everyday world around them. This can make their anxiety and dysregulation hard to predict.
SEMH does not have to be a lifelong condition. With appropriate support children and young people can move forward and live successful lives.
Behaviours children with SEMH needs might display:
Anger
Frustration
Verbal or physical aggression
Lashing out
Self-harming
Withdrawing
Possible law breaking such as stealing or vandalism
Supporting children with SEMH needs
Building up a relationship of trust
Provide clearn and fair boundaries and stick to them
Help the child to identify their own challenges and give them strategies to develop self-responsibility
Make a fresh start everyday
Be consistent and say what you mean
Useful online information, resources and support:
Craneswater ELSA / Loss Companion
Quick emergency toolkit to loss doc - pdf
Resources for Emotional Literacy Support Assistants - ELSA Support (elsa-support.co.uk) – ELSA support
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - NHS (www.nhs.uk) – NHS
National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk) –
Tourettes Action (tourettes-action.org.uk)
Mental Health Support Teams - Portsmouth Education Partnership – MHST
Neurodiversity - > Portsmouth Local Offer
Mental health support for young people – advice for parents and professionals - Portsmouth City Council – wider mental heath support for children in Portsmouth.
Get Help - HYA (hampshireyouthaccess.org.uk) – counselling for children aged 5-17.
Recommended books:
Ruby’s Worry: A Big Bright Feelings Book : Percival, Tom, Percival, Tom: Amazon.co.uk: Books