Social, Emotional and Mental Health

6.32 Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour. These behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Other children and young people may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder.

Short code	Description
Participation	Supporting children and young people to develop confidence, their sense of self, assertiveness, and their own voice to participate across the school environment
Regulation	Managing or controlling emotions and behaviours, leading to outbursts, withdrawal, or unpredictable reactions
Attention	Challenges with focusing, staying on task, or being easily distracted, which can affect learning and behaviour
Trauma	Emotional or psychological harm from distressing events (e.g., abuse, neglect)
Making and Sustaining Healthy Relationships	The ability to form positive, trusting, and respectful connections with peers and adults, and to maintain these relationships over time
Emotional Wellbeing	Overall emotional health, including their ability to understand, express, and manage feelings, cope with challenges, and feel positive about themselves and their lives
Patterns of non-attendance	Regular or repeated absences from school or activities, which may be linked to anxiety, emotional distress, or difficulties coping with the school environment
Bereavement & Loss	Experiencing the death of someone close or other significant losses (e.g., family breakdown, moving home), which can deeply affect a CYP’s emotions and behaviour
Physical Symptoms (medically unexplained)	Physical complaints (like headaches or stomach aches) that do not have a clear medical cause, often linked to emotional distress or anxiety
Safeguarding	Protecting CYP with SEND from harm, abuse, or neglect, and ensuring their safety and wellbeing in all settings