A Universal Approach for Mental Wellbeing
We at nasen believe that – just like access to education – good social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) is an important right of every child and young person in our schools and colleges, as well as every member of the education workforce.
Our work around SEMH is an important element of our vision of an equitable educational experience for all children and young people – not only because good mental health is vital in its own right, but also because learners with SEND and / or learning differences may be more likely to experience anxiety around having to ‘fit into’ an education system that is poorly designed to meet specific conditions or additional needs.
We've collated this suite of resources to support you in reflecting on practice in your setting, and to help start conversations with children and young people. With everything from bite-sized online CPD units to a half day Youth Mental Health Aware course, we hope you find the right resource for your setting.
And because we know that at least 1 in 6 workers experience common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, we're keen to get adults talking, too. Our Universal SEND Services webinar - How to ensure balance between the role of SENCO and personal wellbeing - has a strong focus on SENCO wellbeing. You can watch it today at no cost.
As ever, the nasen team will continue to practice our Mental Health at Work Commitment – a set of actions that any organisation can follow to create a mentally healthy workplace culture by proactively promoting wellbeing, addressing the causes of work-related mental health problems, and supporting staff who are experiencing mental health problems.
Some key statistics
Online Units relating to SEMH
We’ve worked with a range of leading specialists from the sector, condensing many years of experience and understanding into these bite-sized modules.
Each one takes just 20 minutes to complete, and provides practitioners – whatever their role or level of experience – with clear guidance on adaptations to help meet the needs of all learners.
There’s no need to complete units in order, and partially completed units can be saved and picked up again as required without the fear of ‘losing’ work.
Units relating to SEMH:
- Unit 1: Creating an emotionally safe environment
- Unit 2: Creating a socially safe environment
- Unit 8: Understanding behaviour as communication
- Unit 9: Promoting mental wellbeing in your setting
- Unit 10: Understanding and promoting resilience
- Unit 11: Understanding anxiety and creating a supportive learning environment
Specialist spotlight sessions with a focus on SEMH
We know that understanding is not the same as doing, so we encourage people to use the units as a first step, and to go out and test the approaches they learn about in their practice and to use them as a prompt to reflect on what is working well, and what could be better.
For anyone wanting to contextualise their learning further, these Specialist Spotlight discussion sessions are a great space in which to build on learning, to share experiences and seek advice.
Specialist Spotlight: Understanding executive functioning (Primary)
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring 'understanding executive functioning’ in primary settings.
Specialist Spotlight: Understanding executive functioning (Secondary/FE)
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring 'understanding executive functioning’ in secondary/FE settings.
Specialist Spotlight: Understanding anxiety and creating a supportive learning environment (Primary)
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring 'understanding and promoting resilience' in primary settings.
Specialist Spotlight: Promoting mental wellbeing in your setting (Primary)
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring approaches to promoting mental wellbeing in primary settings.
Specialist Spotlight: Understanding anxiety and creating a supportive learning environment (Secondary / FE)
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring the topic of anxiety and approaches to creating a supportive learning environment in secondary / FE settings.
Specialist Spotlight: Promoting mental wellbeing in your setting (Secondary/FE)
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring approaches to promoting mental wellbeing in secondary / FE settings.
Specialist Spotlight: Understanding and promoting resilience
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring 'understanding and promoting resilience' in all settings.
Specialist Spotlight: Developing maths skills (Primary)
Join us for a FREE discussion exploring 'developing maths skills’ in primary settings.
A selection of our resources
Many of these resources have been shared as part of previous mental health awareness campaigns, but the themes explored within them are just as relevant today as when they were first published.
Social, Emotional Health Needs (SEMH) in Special School Settings
- Webcasts
- 26 Nov 2023
There has been an increasing focus on SEMH support within all schools, however, there can often be less support provided to staff in Special School settings. This webinar will look at how to recognise and support SEMH needs.
This resource is FREE with SEND CPD on Demand
Early Years Case Study: Supporting a Child with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs
- General
- 23 Oct 2023
In this case study we hear from Sue Cullingford, a Preschool Leader at Stepping Stones Preschool in Bath. Sue describes how she has worked to support a 4-year old child in her setting, identified as needing additional support around Social, Emotional and
Children’s Mental Health Week Resource - Connection, disconnection and digital wellbeing
- General
- 07 Feb 2023
Lisa Blackett, a wellbeing and leadership coach discusses our ever-increasing world of digital connection and why it is so crucial for educators to be able to ‘switch off.’
Children’s Mental Health Week - Breaking taboos by providing inclusive sex education for all
- General
- 07 Feb 2023
Johanna Aiyathurai (CEO of Learn and Thrive) looks at the impact of relationships and sex education (RSE) on children and young people with SEND, and how it needs to be prioritised as a foundation block for greater independence and healthy relationships.
Children’s Mental Health Week Resource - Therapeutic Tools
- General
- 07 Feb 2023
This article from Dr Tina Rae featured in our bi-monthly members’ magazine, nasen Connect. Join Dr Rae (a child psychologist specialising in children’s mental health) as she contemplates the impact of the pandemic on mental health
The graduated approach and SEMH
- Webcasts
- 08 Jun 2022
This webinar will consider the graduated approach in the context of social, emotional and mental health needs.
This resource is FREE with SEND CPD on Demand
Webinar: School Leaders - The importance of our own wellbeing to lead inclusive schools
- Webcasts
- 14 Jul 2020
A webinar designed specifically for Headteachers and Senior Leaders giving an overview of the professional obligation leaders maintain for their own wellbeing in order to effectively lead inclusive schools.
SEMH Tools
- Webcasts
- 21 Jun 2018
This webcast shares existing free tools to inform whole school strategy development including the measurement and monitoring of social, emotional and mental wellbeing.
SEMH and SEND
- Webcasts
- 20 Jun 2018
This webcast considers the potential crossover between SEMH and special educational needs or disabilities.
