When Schools May Get in Touch
A child or young person needs additional support
This may include anxiety, school refusal, emotional regulation difficulties, challenging behaviour, anger, friendships, confidence, transitions or difficulties affecting their learning and engagement.
Staff need help supporting a particular child
You may have tried different approaches but still be unsure what is contributing to the difficulties or what might help.
The school needs additional staff training or upskilling
This may include SEMH, attachment, emotional regulation, anxiety, behaviour, relationships or supporting children with SEND and neurodivergent needs.
Staff would benefit from therapeutic supervision or consultation
Particularly when LSAs or other staff are supporting children whose emotional or behavioural needs are challenging or complex.
You don’t need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. We can talk through the situation and consider what type of support may be most appropriate.
Supporting Children and Young People
Where appropriate, I can provide direct support to children and young people within their school environment, alongside the school and relevant adults.
Therapy in school
Individual therapeutic support for children and young people who may benefit from having therapy within their school setting.
Observations and consultation
Observing a child within school to help build a clearer understanding of their needs, what may be contributing to difficulties and what might help.
Positive support plans and pupil passports
Working with staff to develop practical, individualised approaches that identify a child’s needs, strengths, triggers and helpful strategies.
EHCP reports and professional input
Providing relevant therapeutic information and written reports to contribute to EHCP applications, annual reviews and other planning processes where appropriate.
School liaison and meetings
Working with SENCOs, pastoral teams, teachers, safeguarding staff and other adults involved in supporting the child.
Written reports and recommendations
Providing clear information and practical recommendations to help parents and schools understand and support a child or young person.
Supporting School Staff
Children with emotional, behavioural or additional needs can present significant challenges and stresses for the adults supporting them. Staff may need space to think through what is happening, reflect on their approach and develop greater confidence in responding.
Therapeutic supervision and coaching
Individual or group sessions for LSAs and other school staff, particularly when they are supporting children whose needs are challenging or complex.
Staff consultation and upskilling
Working with staff around particular children or wider areas of need, helping them develop practical approaches that can be used within the school environment.
SEMH training
Training around social, emotional and mental health needs, including emotional regulation, anxiety, behaviour, relationships and difficulties with engagement or attendance.
The aim is to help staff develop a clearer understanding of the children they are supporting and feel more confident responding to their individual needs.
My Experience Within Education
My experience within education is a key part of the support I offer schools.
Over the course of my career, I have worked across specialist and SEND provisions, pupil referral units, mainstream primary and secondary schools and private schools, alongside my therapeutic work.
I have held pastoral, therapeutic and safeguarding responsibilities and have worked closely with SENCOs, teachers, LSAs and parents, as well as other adults supporting children and young people.
This means I understand that schools have their own systems, pressures and responsibilities. I aim to provide support that is practical, relevant and realistic for staff to use.
Working With Schools
I believe effective support works best when the adults around a child have a shared understanding of their needs and are able to communicate appropriately.
Where therapy is involved, any communication with school takes place with appropriate consent and with the child’s confidentiality and therapeutic relationship in mind.
The level of involvement will depend on the individual circumstances. Sometimes a consultation, observation or report is enough. In other situations, ongoing liaison, therapy, supervision or training may be helpful.
Send An Enquiry
If you are a SENCO, teacher, pastoral lead, safeguarding lead or another member of staff supporting children and young people, you are welcome to get in touch.
The first step is a free initial telephone consultation. We can talk through what you are seeing, what support is already in place and whether therapy, observations, support planning, staff supervision, training or another form of support may be appropriate.
You don’t need to have all the answers before getting in touch.