Children and young people with semh have difficulties managing their emotions, forming positive relationships or behave appropriately. They may also have underlying mental health problems that manifest themselves as behaviour, including impulsivity, aggression or withdrawal. Often, their behaviour is in response to unmet emotional and mental health needs and can be a direct result of their past experiences or current life circumstances.
SEMH Solutions: Strategies for Positive Growth and Development
SEMH is one of the largest areas of special educational need and has a significant impact on the ability of students to learn, engage in social and school-based activities, and form healthy relationships. This leads to low self-esteem, behavioural difficulties and underachievement in school. The consequences are far-reaching. National data shows that children with SEMH are more likely to drop out of school without qualifications, become homeless, be involved in violent crime or experience drug abuse. This is especially true for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The early identification of SEMH challenges is essential for the effectiveness of pastoral support in schools. As educators, it’s important to watch for signs of potential issues, such as passive or aggressive behaviour, low self-worth or a lack of concentration. Supporting pupils to embrace different learning opportunities (such as gardening or creating a sculpture) can help them believe that there’s a life beyond school and improve their motivation. Schools can also use a variety of self-help resources to assist their pupils with their anxiety, depression, stress and other symptoms. These can include articles, activities and books that are targeted to the pupil’s age range.