The social and emotional development, mental health, and wellbeing of children have become critical issues, with a crisis now widely recognised. NHS Digital reports that 1 in 5 children face mental health challenges, and we continue to see alarming rates of exclusions and suspensions, even in primary schools.

It's clear that a strategic approach to prioritising children's social and emotional literacy, health, and wellbeing is essential for school improvement and positive outcomes.

In this episode, Clare Williams, author and creator from Hamish & Milo Wellbeing Resources discusses 'Creating an SEMH inclusive school', highlighting the pressing need for schools to adopt practices that foster social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) support for ALL students, not just those with SEND.

Hamish & Milo advocate for inclusive, relational practices while ensuring that staff have access to evidence-based resources, qualitative CPD training, impact measurement tools, and opportunities for collaboration with parents.

Clare focuses on the 8 Public Health England Principles to promote a whole school approach:

1. Leadership and management
2. Ethos and environment
3. Curriculum and teaching and learning
4. Enabling student voice
5. Staff development
6. Identifying need and monitoring impact
7. Targeted support
8. Working with parents and carers

About Clare Williams

Clare is a primary teacher, educational psychotherapist, author, speaker and advocate for children's mental health and wellbeing.

Clare has worked in primary schools, mental health and education provision and within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). She has led on national initiatives for local authorities as the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Consultant, leading on training, curriculum implementation and development as well as the local coordination of the National PSHE CPD programme.

Clare was co-author and co-creator of Jigsaw PSHE, a Senior Trainer and Supervisor for Trauma Informed Schools (TISUK) and is an Adviser for the Optimus Education Wellbeing Award. She is the author of Hamish & Milo Wellbeing Resources.

Contact Clare

https://hamishandmilo.org/

[email protected]

https://x.com/hamishandmilo

http://www.facebook.com/hamishandmilo/

Useful Links

Research report on the impact of Hamish and Milo

Families Together – ten week programme

Navigator Digital Dashboard and software

Level 3 Accredited CPD -Voyager: Wellbeing in Education Award

• B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
• Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
• Email Dale – [email protected]
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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