Emotional Health & Wellbeing
Supporting the Whole Child and the Whole Family
At IncludEd, we believe that education is about so much more than academic achievement.
Our whole-istic approach to learning recognises that children and young people learn best when their emotional, social, relational, physical and educational needs are understood together.
We take the time to understand each young person as an individual – their experiences, strengths, interests, needs, relationships and aspirations – and use this understanding to create the right conditions for them to thrive.
Our approach is rooted in strong relationships, emotional safety and trust, helping every young person to Reset. Reconnect. Rise.
We also recognise that when a child is struggling, the impact can extend far beyond the school day. That is why our commitment to wellbeing extends to the whole family, working alongside parents and carers to create consistency, understanding and support around each young person.
A Whole-istic Approach to Learning
At IncludEd, emotional health and wellbeing are not something that sits separately from learning.
They are woven through everything we do.
Our staff are trained to understand the impact that trauma, attachment, neurodiversity, adverse experiences and emotional wellbeing can have on a young person’s ability to engage, communicate and learn.
Rather than asking simply, “What is this child doing?”, we work to understand:
“What is this child communicating, and what do they need from us?”
This allows us to respond with curiosity, compassion and consistency.
Our approach includes:
● Strong, trusting relationships between staff and young people
● A trauma-informed and attachment-aware approach
● Neurodiversity-affirming practice
● Individualised support based on each young person’s needs
● Support with emotional regulation and readiness to learn
● 1:1 pastoral and emotional wellbeing support
●Small-group opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and social skills
● Time and space to talk, reflect and process experiences
● Flexible learning approaches and environments
● Opportunities for outdoor, nature-based and experiential learning
● Close collaboration with parents, carers and wider professionals
● Access to therapeutic support where appropriate
We recognise that regulation comes before connection, and connection creates the foundations for learning.
Relationships at the Heart of What We Do
We believe that relationships are the foundation of progress.
For some of our young people, previous experiences of education may have affected their confidence, self-esteem or trust in adults.
Our first priority is therefore to create a place where they feel safe enough to be themselves.
Young people are supported by a consistent team who take the time to get to know them, celebrate their strengths and understand their individual communication and regulation needs.
Through positive relationships, we help young people to develop:
● Self-belief and confidence
● Emotional literacy
● Independence
● Resilience
● Positive relationships
● Communication skills
● A sense of belonging
● A renewed belief in their ability to learn and succeed
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Our holistic approach means that learning doesn’t always look like sitting at a desk.
Our young people benefit from opportunities to learn through nature, movement, practical experiences, creativity, relationships and the world around them.
Our Cowpen Bewley setting provides access to woodland and outdoor spaces, allowing us to incorporate nature-based learning and opportunities for young people to regulate, explore and develop confidence in different environments.
Sometimes progress might be completing a piece of work.
Sometimes it might be having the confidence to join a group.
Sometimes it might be taking a walk, spending time outside, talking to a trusted adult or simply managing something that previously felt overwhelming.
We recognise and celebrate all of these moments as progress.
The Wellbeing Benefits of Our Environment
Our environment has been intentionally designed to support emotional wellbeing, regulation and readiness to learn.
Young people have access to calm spaces, flexible approaches, sensory-aware environments and opportunities to take time when they need it.
We also recognise the positive impact that animals and nature can have on wellbeing.
Our school dog, Herb, is a much-loved member of the IncludEd community and provides opportunities for companionship, connection, calm and positive interaction throughout the school day.
For some young people, simply spending time with Herb, getting outside or engaging in a practical activity can provide an important opportunity to regulate and reconnect.
These moments are not separate from learning.
They are part of our learning journey.
Reflection Room Therapy Service
We are proud to have developed our wellbeing offer further through our partnership with Reflection Room Therapy Service.
Through this collaboration, children and young people attending IncludEd, as well as parents and carers connected to our school community, can access free counselling support.
This additional therapeutic layer provides an opportunity for children, young people and families to talk openly, explore their experiences and develop strategies that can strengthen emotional wellbeing, confidence and resilience.
Counselling sessions are delivered by trainee student counsellors working under clinical supervision, providing safe, ethical and professionally supported therapeutic input.
Counsellors involved in the service are:
- Trauma and attachment informed
- Neurodiversity-affirming
- Experienced in supporting a range of emotional wellbeing needs
- Fully insured
- Working within appropriate ethical, professional and safeguarding standards
We see this partnership as an important part of our commitment to supporting the whole child and the whole family.
Supporting Families
At IncludEd, we know that supporting a child means supporting the people around them too.
Parents and carers can sometimes feel overwhelmed, isolated or unsure about how best to support their child, particularly when their child has experienced difficulties within education.
Our approach is therefore built around partnership.
We listen to families, value their knowledge and experience, and work alongside them rather than simply telling them what we think they should do.
Through our partnership with Reflection Room Therapy Service, parents and carers connected to IncludEd can also access counselling support for themselves.
We believe that when the adults around a young person feel supported, understood and empowered, this can help create stronger foundations for the young person too.
We are a team around the child and that team includes family.
A Skilled and Reflective Team
Our approach is underpinned by ongoing staff training, professional development and reflective practice.
Our team are supported to develop their understanding of areas including:
- Trauma and attachment
- Neurodiversity
- Emotional regulation
- SEMH needs
- Safeguarding
- Communication
- Positive behaviour support
- Therapeutic approaches
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Individualised approaches to learning
We believe that adults need the right knowledge, skills and support to respond effectively to the young people in their care.
Our staff therefore continually reflect on what is working, what isn’t and what this individual young person needs next.
Working Together Around the Young Person
We work closely with parents and carers, schools, professionals and external agencies where appropriate.
Our aim is to create a shared understanding around each young person and ensure that support is joined-up, purposeful and responsive.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
The right support, at the right time, for the right young person is at the heart of what we do.
Our Commitment
Our Commitment
At IncludEd, emotional health and wellbeing are not an additional service.
They are part of our identity and woven through everything we do.
Our whole-istic approach recognises that a young person’s ability to learn is influenced by how safe they feel, how connected they are, how confident they are, how they understand themselves and the relationships they experience around them.
From our carefully considered environment, our trained and reflective team, our therapeutic partnerships and family support, to time outdoors and moments with Herb, every part of our provision is designed to help young people feel safe, valued and able to succeed.
We want every young person who walks through our doors to know:
You belong here.
You matter.
You are understood.
You are capable of progress.
And together, we help them:
Reset. Reconnect. Rise.