All About SEMH is an accessible and informative guide for primary school teachers, designed to increase their understanding of social, emotional and mental health needs, and to enhance their toolkit with practical, evidence-informed strategies to support children in their care.
The book unpicks key terminology and debunks myths and misconceptions, enabling teachers to more easily understand some of the challenges for learners with SEMH needs. It then explores a range of key areas, including anxiety, attachment, bullying and self-harm, and focuses on practical strategies and adaptations that can be made in every classroom. All About SEMH includes:
- A comprehensive introduction to social, emotional and mental health needs, and the surrounding terms and policies.
- Practical strategies tailored to different conditions to help provide targeted support to primary school learners.
- Case studies and worked examples to illustrate points in the book, supporting behaviour recognition and developing reader understanding.
- Discussion on different behaviour patterns in school and at home, with the voices of parents of children with SEMH woven throughout.
- Easy to dip in and out of chapters with signposting to further research, resources and support.
This accessible guide is a valuable resource to empower primary educators, increasing their knowledge and understanding of SEMH, and providing a range of practical strategies to support every learner in their class. It will be essential reading for all primary school educators, SENCOs and parents who are supporting children with SEMH needs.
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Acronyms
1. Part 1: Introduction
The purpose of this book and how you might use it
1.1 The evolution of the term ‘SEMH'
1.3 A brief overview of the international policy picture
1.4 What does it mean to have Social and Emotional Mental Health Needs?
Part 2: Practical Strategies
2.1. Anxiety
2.1a) Emotional based school avoidance
2.1b) Generalised anxiety
2.1c) Social phobia/anxiety
2.1d) Specific phobias
2.1e) Selective mutism/situational mutism
2.1f) interventions and support for children with anxiety
2.2a Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
2.2b Disinhibited attachment disorder/Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
2.2c Intervention and support for children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
2.2d Intervention and support for children with Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
2. 3 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
2.3a Intervention and support for children with ADHD
2. 4 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
2.4b Intervention and support for children with FASD
2.5 Harmful Sexual Behaviour
2.5a) Beyond referrals
2.6 Extreme/Pathological demand avoidance (E/PDA)
2.6b Intervention and support for children with EDA
2.7 Self-Harm
2.8 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
2.8a Intervention and support for children with PTSD
2.9 Tic Disorders
2.9a Tourette’s Syndrome
2.9b) Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder (PANS)
2.9c) Intervention, support and adaptions for tic disorders
2.10 Managing emotions
2.10a) Self-soothing
2.10b) Self-regulation
2.10c Hurting others
Part 3: Further Resources
3.1. other resources
3.2 mapping school support
3.3 Mapping resources within and beyond the school gates
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Sarah Johnson is the founder of Phoenix Education Consultancy, which helps educational establishments to understand what they are doing well and looks at addressing gaps to improve their service. She previously worked in both primary and secondary mainstream education, including as director of inclusion for a large primary school, and as head of a Secondary Pupil Referral Unit.
"Sarah has provided just the right amount of depth and a plethora of practical strategies which won’t cost the earth and feel realistic in the primary classroom. Easily navigable, the book can be dipped into as needed by busy staff looking for rapid responses." - Pooky Knightsmith, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Expert
"Sarah is a passionate practitioner who puts the child at the heart of everything she does. She is well researched and has shared her practical knowledge and skills in this book so that more children can benefit. A book that is easy to dip into when necessary, I have no doubt that this will be an extremely useful reference for primary teaching staff to support and include children with social, emotional and mental health challenges and enable them to be successful in the school environment." – Cath Kitchen OBE, Chair of National Association for Hospital Education
"This practical and user-friendly resource is a must have for every primary school practitioner who is seeking support the well-being of our most vulnerable children and specifically those with social, emotional and mental health needs. It has been written by a practitioner who really knows what works and what ensures that everyone can flourish in the learning context. The use of case studies, reflection points and specific evidence-based strategies makes this a very accessible resource and one which will generate confidence for anyone new to the profession who is seeking to gain a deeper understanding of mental health needs and develop their practice in this area." – Tina Rae, Child Psychologist & Author
"Teachers and support staff working with children with social and emotional mental health needs will find this book invaluable. It provides practical strategies and insights for supporting children's development and creating a safe and inclusive classroom. The book is divided by diagnosis, profile, or need, making it easy for teachers to find relevant information. Sarah uses her 20 years of education experience to offer practical solutions for those without comprehensive SEMH training. This book will help reduce exclusions and support SEMH children's transition to adulthood." – Abigail Hawkins, (FCCT), SENsible SENCO
"This book is invaluable for anyone involved in supporting children with SEMH (social and emotional mental health) needs. It covers the SEMH relevant to primary school pupils, recognising that behaviour is a way of communicating difficulties with emotional regulation. The book is laid out in a clear and logical way, with information about each condition, and practical tools and strategies which Sarah has drawn together from her 20 years in education. She also includes a list of story books which are aimed at pupils experiencing trauma, bereavement etc, and those around them." - Fiona Johnson, SENCO and SEN Consultant
"All About SEMH – which is actually two books, one for primary and one for secondary – tackles the complexity of social, emotional and mental health needs. Here, she provides a balance of contextual information regarding the different internal and external behaviours exhibited by pupils alongside practical strategies and conversational prompts. The result is an accessible toolkit with something for everyone regardless of experience or longevity." - Matt Morris, Schools Week
