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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.

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