Back to school: preparing SEMH students for success
SEMH children come into our care when their mental or emotional struggles impact their education. We provide them with tailored support to support the child through these essential developmental years of their lives—to shape a better future, for them and wider society.
Transitioning from OCEM back into mainstream education or other alternative provisions is another hurdle for these children.
This blog will explore how we navigate this process and its challenges, offering actionable insights for parents and educators.
Transition period challenges
Most SEMH children have a history of instability. Therefore, our transition process is slow and deliberate—avoiding feelings of insufficiency, abandonment and lack of control.
Joining a new school where their peers have much more experience of their surroundings and routines can be detrimental to how the child settles in. They also face social pressure from other children, as many have already formed friendships and are comfortable in the dynamics of the classroom. We encounter plenty of students with social difficulties, making building relationships difficult to navigate.
All these factors can cause feelings of overwhelm, frustration and anxiety. However, children can’t always communicate their emotions effectively. These inner stressors might show up as defensiveness, aggression and not wanting to go into school. Saying things such as: “I don’t feel well”, “nobody likes me” or “everyone is an idiot.”
How OCEM supports the transition
We’d never push a child to return to school before they’re ready. We work closely with the child on a 1-1 basis to fill any education gaps after mindfully tending to their complex needs. It takes a lot of close support, collaboration and commitment. As we always say, without a solid foundation of trust and safety, children are unable to put any energy into learning.
Transitioning to a new school, where other children are already familiar with routines and social dynamics, requires social skills that our students don’t always have. To address this, we model appropriate behaviours and interactions, helping them build the confidence needed to engage with peers. This ensures they’re both academically and socially prepared to thrive.
We make students aware of what to expect, addressing their concerns and encouraging them to ask questions. If they’re hesitant, we’ll ask on their behalf, giving them a sense of control and inclusion.
The next step is physically accompanying them to school, gradually tapering off our presence to help them adjust at their own pace. We ensure our support is subtle, so they don’t feel different from their peers. That might require us sitting at the back of the classroom, acting as a spectator if that’s what the child is more comfortable with.
Overall, our approach is personalised and adaptive—with continuous encouragement to remind them of their strengths. We regularly review their progress to ensure they’re ready for each new step, always standing by them with the belief that they can succeed.
How parents and schools can support the transition
Supporting a child’s transition back to mainstream education is a team effort. One of the most crucial aspects is open communication. It’s not enough to simply say, “you’ll be fine.” For them, this transition can feel overwhelming, like they’re facing it alone. Acknowledge their fears and challenges and remind them of all they’ve achieved. Let them know that if things get tough, they’re not alone—we’re all here to support them every step of the way.
Regular check-ins about their day at school are essential. Ask them what happened, how they felt and what they found difficult or rewarding. Reflecting on these experiences together helps them learn from situations and develop coping strategies. Spending a little extra time providing support can make a big difference in how they handle the transition.
If you’re a parent, you can pick up on OCEM’s techniques during conversations and interactions and use them to reinforce positive behaviours and coping strategies at home. Our goal is to empower parents to support their children effectively, ensuring the best outcome for everyone involved.
Ultimately, everything boils down to good communication and setting a positive example. By working together and staying connected, parents, schools and our team can create a supportive network that allows the child to thrive.
Moving forward together
Navigating the transition back to mainstream education for SEMH students can be challenging, but with the right support from parents, it’s much more achievable. At OCEM, we are committed to providing tailored support to ensure every child’s success.
If you’re looking for more information on how we can help your SEMH child or student, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to answer your questions.
Explore our blogs to learn more about our approach.