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This simple, printable flowchart is ideal for making the systematic approach to identifying and supporting a child with a Social, Emotional and Mental Health Need clear. It can be shared with all staff to ensure everyone understands the correct pathway for support when they identify a SEMH concern.
Where a pupil’s emotional wellbeing, regulation or behaviour is impacting learning, relationships, attendance or safety, this SEMH Cause for Concern Flowchart provides a clear, whole-school approach to ensure consistency across your setting.
This model integrates the graduated response (assess, plan, do, review), ensuring the support put in place is reviewed and amended as necessary to offer the child the best support and help them make progress in their learning.
Starting with quality first practice and reasonable adjustments, and escalating to targeted interventions, pastoral support plans and, where appropriate, involvement from the DSL, SENCO, Mental Health Lead or external agencies.
Use it in pastoral/behaviour briefings and safeguarding and wellbeing meetings; include it in induction materials, or display it in the staffroom, so that all colleagues understand and follow the same robust approach to noticing concerns early, recording them clearly, and acting promptly to secure support.
Claire Steele - Adviser, Services For Education
With over 20 years of experience in primary education, Claire Steele is a respected and committed school leader who has worked across a diverse range of schools and multi-academy trusts.
Her previous roles include Assistant Principal, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), SENCo, and Senior Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead. She has also worked extensively with partners to support the delivery of a wide range of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). Claire also holds the NPQSL and NPQLTD.
Claire is deeply passionate about creating safe, inclusive, and nurturing school environments, where the well-being of pupils is at the heart of practice. She brings her extensive knowledge, dedication, and enthusiasm to Services For Education, supporting schools in embedding effective and compassionate safeguarding and SEND practices at every level.
As part of the team of advisers at Services For Education, Claire champions SEND and equality, ensuring these values remain central to all aspects of her work. Most recently, she has developed the newly launched SEND offer from Services For Education. She also delivers high-quality safeguarding training and conducts comprehensive safeguarding audits in schools.
