Age 16-18 – Universal support for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH)
Last Updated - October 5, 2024
Age 16-18 – Universal support for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH)
All staff will:
Model positive behaviours and implement the SEND Pledge Values to support preparing for adulthood at the earliest opportunity.
Familiarise themselves with any support plans in place for student(s). These should be checked at least half termly.
Welcome all students into learning environments and services.
Implement Quality First Teaching practices or equivalent, eg Evidence Informed Practice.
Where possible provide check ins with students prior to the start of their first lesson.
Use relational approaches to build positive relationships with students. Avoidance of shaming behaviours and language.
Use restorative approaches to resolve conflict positively, wherever possible.
Provide concise and clear instructions. Use dual coding such as visual aids and checklists.
Provide opportunities for movement breaks/time out to regulate.
Provide opportunities for validation of student feelings/emotions.
Involve the young person in developing strategies that help them.
Work with the student to recognise triggers and ensure proactive strategies are in place to minimise impact of any escalating behaviour.
Teach skills such as asking for help.
Use of rewards and praise, some students may prefer indirect or discrete praise as they do not want to be singled out.
Adhere to consistent Ready, Respect and Safe values, remind students of rules/expectations within each setting.
Ensure any behavioural interventions are timely and evidenced chronologically using appropriate student record system.
Provide opportunities for positive peer support/buddies.
Identify and provide access to a safe space.
Refer to pastoral/wellbeing team as appropriate.
Support students to identify and use of self-help strategies, wherever possible.
Create opportunities for student to share feelings including use of journals or diaries.
Use body language that is clear, predictable, open hands, non-threatening.
Ensure facial expressions, tone of voice are neutral and calm.
Responses to be non-judgemental and consistently applied.
Put in place a clear transition plan for next steps to include Information and guidance (IAG), for course transfers, finding apprenticeships, finding work, in line with their aspirations.