Children and young people may experience a wide range of social, emotional and mental health difficulties which can affect their behaviour in different ways, for example, they may be:

• withdrawn or isolated
• disruptive and disturbing
• hyperactive and lack concentration
• immature in relation to social skills
• exhibiting challenging behaviour arising from other complex special needs.

All of these can suggest underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Other children and young people may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) or attachment disorder.

Children and young people who have difficulties in this area may find them a barrier to learning and reaching their potential. This can make them more frustrated and unable to access opportunities.

Children and young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties may struggle to cope with school routines and have trouble building relationships. They will be considered to have special educational needs if they need educational arrangements or interventions that are different from those generally offered in a mainstream school.

Schools and colleges should have clear processes to support children and young people, including methods for managing the effects of any disruptive behaviour so it does not adversely affect other pupils. There are a range of things that can be done to support children or young people in school if they have social and emotional difficulties that affect their behaviour. Schools may get support from the Social Emotional Mental Health and Wellbeing team [link to be added].

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