Behaviour, emotional and social difficulties is a term for children who demonstrate withdrawn or isolated, nervous, anxious or depressed behaviour, as well as those who act out their anger and frustration with very poor social conduct.
Educational psychologists, education social workers and staff in our enhanced mainstream schools offer support regarding children's development, learning or behaviour.
Youngsters who have serious emotional health or mental health difficulties may receive help from the child and adolescent mental health services, rather than local authority services.
Educational psychology and early years service
The educational psychology and early years service often works with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Educational psychologists and early years advisory teachers:
- help parents, carers and professionals to solve the problems that children's development or learning present
- carry out observations and assessment to identify how or why these difficulties occur
- plan programmes of help or offer help themselves
- do research to develop ways of helping adults to help children
- offer training to schools and other organisations
You can contact the educational psychology service and the early years advisory team for more information or advice. Contact us.
Enhanced mainstream schools
There are enhanced mainstream primary schools for pupils with behaviour, emotional and social difficulties around the county. Children who are referred will remain on their own school roll and receive support from staff based in an enhanced mainstream school. For a small number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs, who need intensive specialist support, it may involve the pupil travelling to one of these schools. Find more information on the special educational needs pages.
Pupil referral services
There are also five pupil referral services for secondary pupils at risk of exclusion from school, or for those who cannot attend for medical or mental health reasons.