Social and Emotional Mental Health
Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs are a type of special educational need in which children have difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour.
This means that they may have trouble in building and maintaining relationships with peers and adults; they can also struggle to engage with learning and to cope in the classroom without additional strategies and interventions. Children with SEMH will often feel anxious and misunderstood.
Typical characteristics of children with SEMH can include:-
· Disruptive, antisocial and uncooperative behaviour
· Temper tantrums
· Frustration, anger and verbal and physical threats / aggression
· Withdrawn and depressed attitudes
· Anxiety and self-harm
At Eastfield, we recognise that we all need to support our mental health and well-being. Children with SEMH needs can, with appropriate support, learn to manage their response to their emotions (self-regulate) and live successful lives.
At Eastfield Primary school we have a Behaviour and Welfare Officer (Mrs Heaton).
Our school's Senior Mental Health Lead and school Mental Health 1st Aider is Mrs Reynolds
One of our SEMH interventions is Cool Kids and here are some videos showing you example Cool Kids activities.
Cool Kids Programme at Eastfield
The Cool Kids programme at Eastfield is delivered as a group intervention. Following the guidelines from Occupational Therapy. The theory behind Cool Kids was devised principally as an opportunity for children with poor motor ability to develop these basic skills. The information provided gives an overview into what Cool Kids looks to develop and what areas in particular can be developed. The programme supports our children in working towards being Calm, Confident and able to Concentrate. The intervention follows the set of Building Blocks of Developmental Co – ordination. The principles highlighted below underpins all of the areas that the Cool Kids programme at Eastfield delivers. Each of the interventions delivered last 20 minutes and will look to provide children with a session that will work on target areas through the Cool Kids planning, assessments and criteria.