Understanding Young People’s Needs
Understanding Young People’s need
Teachers and Parents/carers understanding and meeting children's needs is crucial for a healthy, enriching school experience. One of the primary challenges in understanding young people's mental health needs is the stigma associated with mental health issues and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Addressing this is crucial. Failing to do this well can impact children's mental health and educational outcomes negatively. For example, putting children into isolation, seclusion or the disruptive children's pathway for undiagnosed ADHD or autistic behaviours.
Real World Examples:
Despite Black children in England being more likely to be identified as having SEND, there are disparities in their access to adequate support (Global Black Maternal Health, 2024). Parents/carers often have to fight for support, services operate in silos leading to poor multi-agency working, and parents/carers experience shame and stigma due to their child being "labelled".
Recommendation:
Understand how needs present in Black communities and ensure that support is provided.
MEDIUM
Mindful Moves:
Inclusive Classroom strategies
GOAL: Create an inclusive classroom environment that supports all students
To provide teachers with the strategies and resources necessary to identify and understand the diverse needs of their students, facilitating effective communication with parents/carers to support each child's holistic development and wellbeing.
Implement inclusive teaching strategies that cater to diverse learning needs, such as differentiated instruction and universal design for learning (UDL).
- Understand Students: Assess needs, build empathy, and cultural competence.
- Create a Safe Space: Prioritise self-reflection, empathy, and open dialogue.
- Inclusive Environment: Provide accommodations, respect diversity.
- Personalised Learning: Students can learn differently, use teaching strategies which work with their needs best.
- Strong Partnerships: Collaborate with families and support staff.
- Undiagnosed needs within children.
- Focus on students: Make sure your actions help students feel safe and supported.
- Involve others: Work with colleagues to share ideas and support each other.
EASY
Mindful Moves:
Interactive Family Sessions
GOAL: Foster open communication within the family, helping parents/carers understand their child’s needs better.
To give parents/carers with the knowledge and tools to accurately identify and understand the diverse needs of their children, fostering effective communication and collaboration with educators to ensure comprehensive support for their child's wellbeing and development.
Engage in regular family sessions where each member discusses their day, shares their feelings, and talks about any help they might need.
- Establish a routine: Decide on a regular time for family meetings (e.g. dinner time or mornings over the weekend)
- Create a comfortable space - choose a quiet, relaxed setting for the sessions.
- Set ground rules: Establish guidelines for respectful listening, active participation, and avoiding judgment.
- Use open-ended questions: Encourage sharing by asking questions like "How did your day go?", "What made you happy/sad today?", "Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"
- Active listening: Show genuine interest in what is being shared and validate feelings - acknowledge and validate everyone's emotions without judgment.
Quality over quantity: Focus on meaningful conversations rather than just talking for the sake of it.
Individual needs: Be aware that family members may have different communication styles and needs.
Challenges: Be prepared to address conflicts or sensitive topics with empathy and understanding.