What are SEMH difficulties?
Children and young people experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties may be:
- withdrawn or isolated
- hyperactive and lack concentration
- immature in relation to social skills
- displaying behaviour that challenges which could be arising from other complex special needs
This could mean mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression or they could be self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained.
They may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) or attachment disorder, and may be frustrated and struggle with school routines and relationships.
The underlying causes of SEMH may be environmental difficulties at home or school or both
Support with SEMH difficulties
To find out how to access mental health services and what support is available locally please see the emotional and mental health advice on the Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership website.
Support in schools
Children will be considered to have special educational needs if they need educational arrangements or interventions that are different from those generally offered in a mainstream school.
Schools and colleges should have clear processes to support children and young people, including methods for managing the effects of any disruptive behaviour so it does not adversely affect other pupils.
There are a range of things that can be done to support children or young people in school if they have social and emotional difficulties that affect their behaviour.
Schools may request support from the Social Emotional Mental Health and Wellbeing Team.
Schools can also follow the emotional health and wellbeing pathway which has been developed to support education settings to identify need, implement effective interventions and source appropriate external support in a graduated way. The Pathway follows the I THRIVE Framework which is a person-centred and needs-led approach to supporting mental health needs.