Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. This page outlines some ways in which social, emotional and mental health needs may present at the Targeted + Level of the Graduated Approach.

Needs Descriptors

Emotional Health and Wellbeing

The CYP’s emotional regulation needs may frequently (multiple times per day) impact on their attendance, engagement in learning and/or wellbeing.

The CYP may:

• seem extremely unhappy or anxious.
• become overwhelmed or dysregulated in the school environment (e.g., due to change or frustration) and require substantial support to re- regulate (e.g., calm space, Key Adult).
• not want to be in the classroom.
• find waiting for help difficult.
• struggle to find solutions to problems.
• have difficulty engaging with tasks.
• have prolonged periods of absence/ disengagement.

Social Behaviour

The CYP may regularly (multiple times per day):

• struggle to follow rules.
• use language to harm or shock others. They may or may not know that is the case.
• demonstrate unsafe behaviours as a result of emotional dysregulation e.g., hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, hair pulling,
• develop survival strategies which may put their safety at risk e.g., self-harm, running out of classroom/school, climbing at height on property/furniture.
• use avoidance strategies when finding situations too challenging which may cause harm to self or others.
• need significant amounts of support to play and learn alongside others.
• become distressed/withdrawn when faced with change (such as new people, places, events, or unplanned changes of routine), uncertainty and transitions, particularly if it affects any repetitive behaviours or rituals they may have.
• have difficulties understanding and recognising personal, social, environmental and physical risks and their own vulnerabilities.
• have limited body awareness and may cause risk to self and/or others in attempts to seek, or avoid, sensory input or regulation.

Relationships

The CYP may:

• demonstrate ongoing separation difficulties.
• have significant long-lasting difficulties in making and maintaining relationships.
• become socially isolated and vulnerable, with disengagement from education, social and family life.
• need substantial support to be able to reflect on how their actions impact on others.

Links

• Removing Social, Emotional and Mental Health Barriers
• Training and Resources

 

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