When SEMH is not the whole story – how to avoid over identification
The number of children identified as having Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs is rising exponentially but are our identification processes fit for purpose?
National SEND Lead for Star Academies, experienced Assistant Headteacher and SENCO, Liz Murray has worked in schools over 20 years, holding pastoral, curriculum and SEND leadership roles.
Liz looks at the importance of a focus on Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) before labelling a child with SEMH. She also explains the whole school awareness that is required to make this successful.
This session was originally presented under our previous brand Training for Education
Your £10 purchase gives unlimited access to Liz’s training session
for your whole school
Key takeaways
– Appreciate how SLCN and SEMH may overlap –
– Understand the importance of unpicking underlying needs and how to do this using screening and assessment –
– Recognise the power of building whole-school awareness of SLCN to improve earlier identification –
Who is the session aimed at?
Advice and guidance for all staff supporting students with SEND.
Particularly aimed at SENCOs and Senior Leaders.
TESTIMONIALS
Liz received great feedback on her previous training session on developing a nurture provision
About the Creator
Liz Murray / National Lead for SEND, Star Academies
Liz Murray is the national SEND Lead for Star Academies, a large multi-academy trust comprised of 32 primary and secondary schools. She is responsible for leading the SEND strategy and supporting SEND school improvement across all Star schools. Liz is committed to supporting leaders and teachers to reduce barriers to learning for all pupils to enable them to thrive.
Liz has worked in schools for over 20 years; she originally trained as a secondary English teacher and has since held pastoral, curriculum and SEND leadership roles in all-through schools in both the state and independent sectors. She contributes to the SEND agenda nationally as part of DfE expert advisory groups, speaking at national conferences and contributing articles to educational publications. Find out more about Star Academies.
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1 hour CPD presentation that will not expire
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About SENDcast Sessions
A great way for schools to access high quality CPD from SEND experts brought to you by The SENDcast. With some of the same great guests featured on our weekly podcast, delivering focused 1-hour online training sessions on a wide range of SEND topics. SENDcast Sessions provide schools with in depth content that can be accessed forever. Build a library of online CPD that your school can continue to use in the future – with over 90 training sessions already available on our website!

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