Social, emotional and mental health panel (SEMH)

The SEMH panel provides timely integrated interventions and / or advice to primary school children and their families where:

• the child does not have an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP)
• the presenting concern is the child’s emotional, social and / or mental health needs
• the child’s behaviour is causing concerns
• the education setting can evidence that a range of strategies have been tried, i.e. the Local Offer and resources outlined in the Behaviour and Inclusion Toolkit
• the education setting has completed or offered an Early Help Assessment (EHA), or there is a Child in Need (CIN) or Child Protection Plan in place

Please note that we aim for the majority of children and young people with SEMH to attend mainstream settings with specialist support from the SEMH units and wider professionals.

Targeted SEN funding

Where a school is already in receipt of high needs funding and is coming to panel for additional support the school should evidence how high needs funding is currently spent.

Specific functions of the panel

The panel:

• works in partnership to promote inclusion and prevent exclusion
• provides a multi professional forum for discussion and decision making
• provides a transparent, responsive referral route to targeted and specialist resources, ensuring children and families access the relevant support in a timely manner
• identifies and deploys resources appropriately and in line with agreed priorities and timeline

Additional functions of the panel

The panel also:

• contributes to the delivery of the West Northants Council SEND Strategy
• undertakes rigorous monitoring of the use and effectiveness of nurture and SEMH units
• promotes best practice and identifies professional development

SEMH Staged Approach

Stage 1

• Audit of Educational provision (home school)
• To include a learning walk with SLT followed with a meeting to discuss and offer guidance and support regarding behaviour policy,
  behaviour tracking, school ethos, voice of child
• Recommendations via a report to be provided following school visit

Stage 2

• Outreach provided
• Aim - to provide training and support for staff, with a specific focus on school ethos and behaviour management (supported by SLT)

Stage 3

• Placement offered in an SEMH or Nurture unit - partnership agreement must be signed by school (detailing clear expectations and conditions of placement)
• Placement necessitates a positive partnership between school and SEMH/ Nurture unit

The expectation is that there are no exclusions during this placement.

Cases for consideration - how to make a referral

Cases that meet the criteria stated above may be referred by any primary mainstream setting. Please ensure that you demonstrate how you have implemented any support using the assess, plan, do, review cycle.

Or an existing up-to-date EHA form together with section 2 of the panel referral form.

Completed referral forms should be emailed to [email protected].

Please note that the deadline for submitting a referral form is 2 weeks prior to the date of the SEMH Panel meeting.

Panel meeting dates

See how to make a high needs funding referral.

Members of the panel

Last updated 06 December 2023