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Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Understanding Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs

Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs are a type of special educational need in which children and young people experience significant challenges managing their emotions and behaviour. These challenges may make it difficult for them to build and maintain relationships with peers and adults, engage fully in learning, or feel comfortable in a classroom without additional support.

Children with SEMH needs may also struggle to engage and cope with learning in a traditional classroom without additional support and intervention[AP2] . This may be due to anxiety[AP3] , behaviour which presents as challenging or disruptive, or difficulty in regulating emotions.

Signs of SEMH needs in children and young people

Children with SEMH needs may display a range of behaviours in response to their emotions, such as:

  • Outbursts of anger and frustration
  • Being disruptive or uncooperative at home or in class
  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves
  • Verbal or physical aggression
  • Showing signs of anxiety or self-harm

Children with SEMH needs often communicate their feelings and unmet needs through their behaviour, which can sometimes seem inappropriate or hard to understand. It’s common for these children to feel anxious, scared, or misunderstood, which can further impact their ability to thrive at school and beyond.

How we support children with SEMH needs

Our therapeutic support is embedded throughout all of the work we do with children and young people, to enable them to overcome their SEMH challenges and reach their full potential.

Our Clinical Services teams enable children and young people to access support, necessary assessments, and tailored programmes which are then integrated into their daily activities. Our team members are well-known to children and continuously work to establish and develop their trust. Our specialised staff are familiar and trusted faces, working continuously to build meaningful relationships and provide children and young people with the support they need to feel safe, understood, and empowered.

Our services that support SEMH needs

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    Aurora Beeches School

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    Specialist academic and therapeutic provision in a peaceful, rural setting, for young people aged 11- 16 with Autism spectrum conditions or additional social, emotional and mental health needs.

    Cranborne, Dorset
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    11 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 week, day
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    Aurora Brooklands School

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    An independent specialist day school supporting young people aged 9-16 who face various challenges associated with social, emotional and mental health needs and behavioural challenges.

    Leyland, Lancashire
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    9 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 weeks of the year, day
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    Aurora Cedars School

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    A specialist independent day school, offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 5-19 with additional social, emotional and mental health needs.

    Wolverhampton
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    5 -19
    Mixed
    • 38 week, day
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    Aurora Fairway School

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    A specialist day school located in St Ives, Cambridge, offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11-16 with a range of complex needs.

    St Ives, Cambridgeshire
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    11 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
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    Aurora Hedgeway School

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    Flexible, inclusive education and a positive, vibrant learning community, for children and young people aged 7-19 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of Autism and related social and communication.

    Pilning, South Gloucestershire
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    7 -19
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora Poppyfield School

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    A specialist day school, offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11- 16 with Autism and associated behavioural and communication difficulties.

    Effingham, Surrey
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    11 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora Redehall School

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    Specialist education in a calm, nurturing environment, for children aged 6-16 with communication difficulties typically associated with Autism spectrum conditions.

    Smallfield, Surrey
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • Learning Difficulties
      Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    6 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora Ryefields School

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    A specialist day school providing academic and therapeutic support for young people aged 5–19 with autism spectrum conditions with additional social, emotional, and mental health needs.

    Derby
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    5 -19
    Mixed
    • 38 week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora Severnside School

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    A specialist independent day school, offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11-16 with social, emotional and mental health needs, Autism and additional learning needs.

    Berkeley, Gloucestershire
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    11 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora Summerfields School

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    An independent specialist provision supporting young people aged 5 to 19 who have complex communication and social needs typically associated with Autism spectrum conditions.

    Wilmslow, Cheshire East
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • COIN
      Communication and Interaction Needs

      Communication and Interaction Needs

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    • SLCN
      Speech, Language and Communication Needs

      Speech, language and communication needs

      Find out more
    5 -19
    Mixed
    • 38 Week , day
  • View Details

    Aurora Vincent House School

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    A brand new SEND Secondary school opening in 2025 in the heart of Horsham, for young people who are predominantly autistic aged 11-16.

    Horsham
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    11 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora White House School

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    Specialist academic and therapeutic provision in a caring, supportive environment, for children aged 5-16 who have experienced difficulties in mainstream settings.

    Quidenham, Norfolk
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    5 -16
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora Wilden View School

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    A brand new school supporting young people aged 5 to 19 who have a range of complex learning needs including social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication difficulties

    Kidderminster, Worcestershire
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    5 -19
    Mixed
    • 38 Week , day
  • View Details

    Aurora Woodlands School

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    An independent specialist day school supporting young people aged 10-19 who face various challenges associated with social, emotional and mental health needs and behavioural challenges.

    Darwen, Lancashire
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • ASD
      Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      A neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

      Find out more
    • ASC
      Autism Spectrum Conditions

      A developmental disability that affects how a person relates to others, communicates, and understands the world around them.

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    10 -19
    Mixed
    • 38 Week, day
  • View Details

    Aurora Boveridge College

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    A specialist further education college providing day and residential support for young people with Autism spectrum conditions or additional social, emotional and mental health needs.

    Cranborne, Dorset
    • ADHD
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can often be treated with medicines and talking therapies.

      Find out more
    • MLD
      Moderate Learning Difficulties

      Find out more
    • SEMH
      Social Emotional and Mental Health

      Find out more
    16 -25
    Mixed
    • 38 weeks, day
    • Up to 52 weeks, residential
    • 38 weeks, outreach

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