Mental Health and Wellbeing with SEND: Connection based approaches to teaching and learning that help everyone to learn

"He's just attention-seeking." "She's choosing not to engage." Said in passing in the staffroom, comments like these shape how every adult treats that pupil next time. For learners with SEND, who often find connection harder to build, the cost is higher still.

Connection is what lets a pupil feel safe enough to learn. You'll learn to read behaviour as a child telling you a need isn't being met, and to work out whether it's physical, like needing to move, or emotional, like anxiety. Then you'll have responses that take seconds: a movement break disguised as collecting the books, a quick check-in about the work instead of a telling-off, a word about a small win.

The ideas come from an experienced SENCO, who is also clear about when a need goes beyond the classroom and a child needs a counsellor or therapist.