Notes worth a minutevizmordant: short notes
A few short notes on social, emotional and mental health assessment in schools, gathered from the questions readers ask most often.A few short notes on social, emotional and mental health assessment in schools, gathered from the questions readers ask most often. These notes travel under the working name vizmordant.
Emotional literacyStrengths-based assessment
A short note on Emotional literacy. The figure to hold onto is named feelings as a measurable skill; what matters is that a child who can name a feeling can usually be taught to manage it.If you are looking into Strengths-based assessment, start here: what the child can do, as the starting point. The point is that a profile built only from difficulties gives a plan with nothing to build on.
That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.The primary source has the final word, and it is worth a minute to check it.
Do the cheap checks before the expensive ones. Knowing this about Emotional literacy prevents most mistakes.Do the cheap checks before the expensive ones. That is the whole of Strengths-based assessment for most readers.
Measuring progressWhat SEMH covers
If you are looking into Measuring progress, start here: the baseline chart repeated, after the support. The point is that the comparison, not the impression, decides the next cycle.What SEMH covers in one line: social, emotional and mental health as one of the four broad areas of need. Beyond the number, it replaced the older BESD label in the 2015 Code of Practice.
Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.
Write down what you find before you decide anything; it makes the next step obvious. In short, Measuring progress is worth a minute before you commit.Write down what you find before you decide anything; it makes the next step obvious. Knowing this about What SEMH covers prevents most mistakes.
LanguageFrequency and intensity
Language in one line: a speech and language check for younger pupils. Beyond the number, a child who cannot say what is wrong shows it instead.Frequency and intensity: the line most people need is recorded on a simple chart, over two to three weeks. In practice, a baseline makes any change after support visible.
The primary source has the final word, and it is worth a minute to check it.Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.
Keep the paperwork; it is the proof when something is queried later. That is the whole of Language for most readers.Keep the paperwork; it is the proof when something is queried later. In short, Frequency and intensity is worth a minute before you commit.
Relationships with adultsWho assesses
Relationships with adults: the line most people need is one trusted adult, as the aim. In practice, it is the single factor most consistently linked with improvement.A short note on Who assesses. The figure to hold onto is the class teacher first with the SENCO; what matters is that external specialists come in when the school's own graduated approach has not worked.
That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.The primary source has the final word, and it is worth a minute to check it.
If something changes, note the date; patterns only show up with dates on them. Knowing this about Relationships with adults prevents most mistakes.If something changes, note the date; patterns only show up with dates on them. That is the whole of Who assesses for most readers.
AttendancePeer relationships
A short note on Attendance. The figure to hold onto is checked alongside the assessment; what matters is that patterns of absence are often the earliest sign.If you are looking into Peer relationships, start here: assessed as part of the picture, not separately. The point is that isolation and conflict are both SEMH markers.
Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.
When in doubt, choose the simpler option first; it is the one least likely to need undoing. In short, Attendance is worth a minute before you commit.When in doubt, choose the simpler option first; it is the one least likely to need undoing. Knowing this about Peer relationships prevents most mistakes.
Parent and carer viewsWhen to involve health
If you are looking into Parent and carer views, start here: gathered early, and written down. The point is that home and school seeing the same pattern is itself a finding.When to involve health in one line: persistent low mood, self-harm, eating changes as prompts. Beyond the number, the school refers; it does not assess these itself.
The primary source has the final word, and it is worth a minute to check it.Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.
Do the cheap checks before the expensive ones. That is the whole of Parent and carer views for most readers.Do the cheap checks before the expensive ones. In short, When to involve health is worth a minute before you commit.
ConfidentialityStandardised tools
Confidentiality in one line: shared on a need-to-know basis within the staff team. Beyond the number, written records follow the school's data policy.Standardised tools: the line most people need is published questionnaires, with age norms. In practice, they compare a child to peers; they do not explain why.
That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.The primary source has the final word, and it is worth a minute to check it.
Write down what you find before you decide anything; it makes the next step obvious. Knowing this about Confidentiality prevents most mistakes.Write down what you find before you decide anything; it makes the next step obvious. That is the whole of Standardised tools for most readers.
The graduated approachLearning needs
The graduated approach: the line most people need is assess, plan, do, review, as a cycle. In practice, each cycle is usually a term long and the review decides whether to change the plan.A short note on Learning needs. The figure to hold onto is screened as well not assumed absent; what matters is that unrecognised literacy difficulties present as behaviour more often than not.
Treat it as a starting point; specifics change with the house, the school or the kitchen.That is a general note rather than a rule; check the current details before you rely on it.
Keep the paperwork; it is the proof when something is queried later. In short, The graduated approach is worth a minute before you commit.Keep the paperwork; it is the proof when something is queried later. Knowing this about Learning needs prevents most mistakes.
Figures are general guidance; the primary source takes precedence.Figures are general guidance; the primary source takes precedence.
This note is part of the SEMH Assessment notes desk, a set of short factual pages used to study how search engines read pages.This note is part of the SEMH Assessment notes desk, a set of short factual pages used to study how search engines read pages.