Our Impact
Social and emotional learning is essential to every child’s education. It has been proven to help children achieve their academic potential, build strong relationships and lead healthy successful lives. By helping pupils understand and manage their emotions, it can improve behaviour and reduce emotional distress.
“When time is short and resources are squeezed, it is vital that schools are choosing the options that have been tested and demonstrated some positive outcomes in the past, to stack the odds that they will produce similar benefits again.”
Dr Jo Casebourne
Early Intervention Foundation Chief Executive
Our social and emotional learning packages have been developed through 10 years of successfully supporting pupils, their families and school staff. Most recently our service has been tailored to address the changes to the Ofsted common inspection framework. Additions to the framework include personal development, behaviour, welfare and mental health. More specifically the framework references the essential components of emotional well-being including relationships, self-confidence, self-efficacy, communication skills, positive mind-set and attitude.
Specifically the guidelines state:
In order for schools to gain good status pupils must, ‘Enjoy learning about how to stay healthy and about emotional and mental health, safe and positive relationships.’ To be outstanding schools must enable students to be able to, ‘Make informed choices about healthy eating, fitness and their emotional and mental wellbeing’.
The new framework recognises that it is important to continue to support individual pupils with specific behavioural and mental health needs, but there is also a need to create a culture that fosters emotional well-being and resiliency within the school. Consequently, ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ schools commit to helping students develop personal skills, employability skills and achieve academically.
Creating a Emotional Well-being Friendly Culture
To do this effectively schools are encouraged to raise awareness and provide a range of support that improves emotional well-being within the educational environment. Switch Midlands can help create and sustain a culture that supports emotional well-being.
For Example:
- Creating a environment that is well sign posted, therapeutic and accessible
- Working directly with students and parents/caregivers
- Working directly with teachers
- Facilitating group work & peer support sessions
- Embedding emotional well-being principles within policies
- Liaising with external agencies such as CAMHS and Strengthening Families
- Embedding emotional well-being teaching within the curriculum
Have a question?
Call 01902 552 288 or email tim@switchmidlands.com