SEND & Inclusion, SEMH & Behaviour Support

Understanding the barrier. Finding a way forward.

When a young person is struggling, the behaviour is often the only part we can see. There may be difficulties with communication, regulation, relationships, learning, sensory demands, anxiety, confidence executive function or simply feeling they do not fit in the environment around them.

At Fern Path we help schools, alternative provision settings, families and professionals step back and look at the bigger picture. We bring together SEND, inclusion, SEMH and behaviour to understand what might be getting in the way and identify practical ways forward. Our approach is relational, needs-led and focussed on what can realistically change.

SEND and Inclusion

Making education more accessible

Inclusion isn’t about putting the right provision on paper. Its about whether a young person can actually access, participate in and feel part of their education. Fern Path can support schools and settings to explore the barriers affecting an individual young person and consider what could be changed around them.

SEMH and Emotional Wellbeing

Supporting the whole young person

Emotional wellbeing can have a significant impact on a young persons ability to learn, communicate, regulate and participate. Distress doesn’t always look like distress and might present as withdrawal, anger, refusal, perfectionism, avoidance, conflict, disengagement or behaviour that appears challenging.

Fern Path helps adults consider what might be underneath the presentation and what the young person may need from the people and environments around them. Our work is educational and supportive rather than clinical. We do not provide mental health diagnosis or clinical treatment. Where specialist mental health or therapeutic support is needed, we will encourage appropriate referral and can work alongside other professionals where appropriate.

Behaviour and Regulation

Behaviour is information

At Fern Path, we don’t view behaviour simply as something to stop. Behaviour happens for a reason. That reason isn’t always immediately obvious and understanding it doesn’t mean excusing behaviour that is unsafe of unacceptable. It means asking questions.

What happened before?

What might the young person be experiencing?

What is the behaviour communicating?

What happens afterwards?

What could we change?

We can support families, schools and settings to explore patterns in behaviour and develop practical approaches to reduce the situations in which difficulties arise. The aim is to create greater safety, regulation, communication, engagement and access to learning.

Consultation and Guidance

Sometimes you need another perspective.

Supporting a young person with complex or persistent needs can be difficult, particularly when strategies that once worked are no longer working. Fern Path does not claim to have all of the answers but offers consultation and guidance to help those working with young people to step back, consider the bigger picture and identify practical next steps. The purpose isn’t to provide a quick answer to a complex situation but to help create a clearer understanding and a more considered plan.

Family Support

Helping families make sense of what is happening.

When things are difficult at school or at home, parents and carers can sometimes be left trying to piece together what is happening from different perspectives. Fern Path can provide practical support to help families understand the situation and consider what might help. Where a situation requires specialist clinical, medical, social care or statutory involvement, we will be clear about this and signpost appropriately.

Working Collaboratively

Meaningful change rarely comes from one person working in isolation. Where appropriate Fern Path can work alongside the people already involved in a young person’s education and support. We respect the expertise of other professionals and will make recommendations within the boundaries of our own role. Fern Path is an education, SEND, inclusion and support service. We do not provide clinical diagnosis, medical treatment or specialist therapeutic intervention. We do not replace statutory services or specialist professionals. Where a young persons needs indicate that another professional or service is required, we will be clear about this and recommend appropriate involvement. We believe that knowing when something sits outside our expertise is an important part of safe and responsible practice.