SECONDARY SEMH OUTREACH

IncludED

IncludED is Venn’s specialist SEMH outreach service for secondary schools, working alongside school leaders, SENDCos, inclusion and pastoral teams to strengthen inclusive practice and develop effective support for young people.

Support is shaped around the needs of each school and its students, combining environmental analysis, professional development and targeted SEMH support. By working collaboratively with schools, families and other professionals, IncludED aims to build staff capacity and help young people thrive academically, socially and emotionally within mainstream education.

  • Adam Taylor – Venn Secondary Outreach Director

Our Approach

Support that strengthens
inclusion.

IncludED provides a structured three-tier approach to secondary SEMH support, working with schools to strengthen inclusive environments, develop staff practice and provide more targeted support around individual young people where required.

Experts Around the Environment

Tier 1 focus is to build connections to understanding the school’s environment; developing an awareness of current staff practice and approaches around inclusion that support SEMH needs, with a view to adapting support to key topics that contribute to this need.

Experts Around the Setting

Tier 2 develops staff capacity through evidence-based approaches to SEMH, including co-regulation, de-escalation, trauma-informed practice and strategies that strengthen inclusion across the school setting.

Experts Around the Child

Tier 3 embeds practice more closely linked to individual need, developing understanding and practical approaches around the student experience and contributing factors of SEMH; interaction, confidence, neurodiversity, attachment, anxiety and emotional regulation.

TIER 1
– EXPERTS AROUND THE ENVIRONMENT

Understanding SEMH and Creating Connections

Tier 1 establishes the foundations for inclusive SEMH practice by helping schools develop a stronger understanding of the social, emotional and mental health needs experienced by young people.

Understanding SEMH

The training explores the range of social, emotional and mental health difficulties young people may experience, including underlying causes and the potential impact on learning, development and engagement with education.

It also helps schools consider the culture and environments experienced by students and develop practical strategies that strengthen connection, inclusion and support.

SEMH Assessment and Support Planning

IncludED supports professionals to develop their understanding and use of SEMH assessment to inform individual support planning, particularly for young people who are struggling to engage with their educational setting.

The aim is to build a clearer understanding of emotional and behavioural needs and identify effective interventions that can help reduce the need for suspension and exclusion.

Steps to Success primary SEMH support in school
Steps to Success SEMH training session at the Institute of Learning

TIER 2
– EXPERTS AROUND THE SETTING

Models of Support for SEMH

Tier 2 helps schools strengthen staff capacity through evidence-based approaches to SEMH, developing practical strategies that support co-regulation, de-escalation and inclusive practice.

Co-Regulation and De-escalation

Training provides staff with practical approaches for responding to escalating situations calmly and effectively. This includes communication strategies, de-escalation techniques and approaches that help young people recognise, understand and regulate their emotions.

Supporting Young People with Trauma

IncludED develops staff understanding of the impact trauma can have on young people, including how to recognise potential signs and develop a trauma-informed approach to support.

Training combines this understanding with practical, evidence-based strategies designed to create supportive environments in which young people can engage, develop and thrive.

Social Interaction and Communication

Structured group approaches use collaborative activities to develop emotional regulation, communication, teamwork, empathy and problem-solving skills. Play-based approaches can also be used to strengthen connection, trust and communication within supportive relationships.

TIER 3
– EXPERTS AROUND THE CHILD

Understanding Individual SEMH Needs

Tier 3 develops a deeper understanding of individual SEMH needs, helping staff recognise how different factors may affect a young person’s experience of school and identify practical approaches to support them in the classroom.

“Understanding me”
The student view of SEMH

Training explores how students engage with the school environment and connect to their own needs within the context of Social, emotional and mental health. Staff learn to identify potential triggers around the student’s ability to build relationship, engage with the learning environment and seek support from key adults.
 
During the period of support we consider the broader student profile (individual, school & family) and complete an extensive assessment, understanding the impact on behaviour and consider solution-focused relaional approaches that can support regulation and wellbeing. IncludED helps educators develop their understanding of the characteristics of a student’s need and how this may present in the classroom. The overarching drive to creating inclusive pathways, adaptions and practical strategies that are replicable throughout the school. 
Pupil receiving individual SEMH support in the classroom

OUR TEAM

Meet the IncludED Team

Adam Taylor
Director of Secondary Inclusion (Outreach)

Adam leads Venn’s IncludeEd support, working directly with secondary schools to help them respond to pupils experiencing barriers to inclusion. With more than 20 years’ experience across mainstream, specialist and alternative provision, Adam brings extensive expertise in SEMH and inclusive practice, working alongside school leaders and staff to understand their challenges and develop practical, pupil-centred approaches.