What support is available for social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH)?

LEO Academy Trust has a graduated response to SEMH needs.

A wellbeing screening tool is used in Reception, Year 3 and Year 5 to ascertain if a child or young person is experiencing difficulties with emotional wellbeing, relationships/interactions, confidence/self esteem or motivation.

School staff and parents can refer children in other years for support when identified.

The results are triaged and pupils receive support according to their need, in one of the following categories:

Following the screening, if a pupil presents with an SEMH need, the classteacher supports at tiers 1 and 2. This may take the form of focusing on an area of need in PSHE lessons, a class specific focus or school assemblies etc. ELSA support would not take place as a first step. At Tier 2, ELSA support might take place in the form of a group setting (e.g. social groups or friendship groups) not 1:1.

Each school has a mental health team comprising a mental health champion, a trauma informed champion, emotional literacy support assistant (ELSA) and a senior mental health lead (usually the SENDCo). Many teachers are trained as mental health first aiders.

There is also a Trust Mental Health lead who is based in the central Inclusion Team and who can assist schools in the case of unusual circumstances such as parental bereavement. 

All schools have received trauma informed training.