Services for Schools

North West Childrens Therapy services have more than 20 years experience of working in mainstream and SEN schools. 

Schools today are under unprecedented pressure to support a growing number of children experiencing social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.

My experience has shown me that a child’s emotional well-being and mental health underpins their ability to learn and develop satisfying relationships, to grow into healthy adults.

Teachers are often the first to recognise when a child is struggling, yet many schools lack access to the specialist support needed to respond effectively.

Without timely therapeutic intervention, emotional distress can manifest in increasingly challenging behaviours, placing additional pressure on school staff, disrupting learning, and affecting the wellbeing of the wider school community.

As Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) continue to face high demand and lengthy waiting times, schools are too often left to manage complex needs without the resources or expertise required.

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The following services can be provided within schools:

A whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing 

A package which can include training, staff consultations, group work, child and adolescent therapy, child-parent therapy, parent consultation and staff well-being. The package can be designed to include some or all of the interventions depending on the needs of the school and its community.   

Therapeutic care planning and individual play therapy or psychotherapy.

An individualised therapeutic plan for a specific child delivered by a fully qualified and registered therapist.

The intervention offered is tailored to the child's developmental stage, emotional needs, and personal circumstances.

For primary-aged children, we use a play therapy approach, recognising that children often express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences more naturally through play and creative activities than through words alone. This provides a safe, non-threatening space where they can explore difficult emotions, build resilience, and develop healthier ways of coping.

For secondary-aged students, therapy typically combines creative techniques with evidence-based talking therapies. This flexible approach encourages young people to reflect on their experiences, strengthen emotional regulation, develop practical coping strategies, and build the confidence to navigate the challenges they face.

These approaches are both trauma sensitive and neuro-affirming.

Reporting and consultation with the team around the child-  considering the child’s emotional and behavioural needs and also explores the possible reasons for the child’s behaviour to develop staff empathy and understanding. 

Recommendations and strategies for staff to implement across the school

This plan can follow the child and be adapted as they progress through the school to enable a cohesive approach.

Staff consultations 

A reflective space for individual staff to discuss and explore children’s behaviour and their experiences of working with children with suggestions of strategies to implement and review.

These sessions provide the opportunity to explore the possible reasons for children’s behaviour, to understand that all behaviour has meaning and to explore the impact of children’s behaviour on teaching and learning.

Additionally, I provide staff support with a focus on promoting wellbeing and self care. This may include signposting to other agencies if felt to be appropriate.

Staff Support

Teaching has never been more demanding. Alongside educating children, school staff are often expected to fulfil a wide range of pastoral, safeguarding, and emotional support roles, placing significant pressure on their own wellbeing.

We recognise the importance of supporting those who care for others. That's why we offer dedicated therapeutic support for school staff, providing a confidential, safe space to reflect, talk through challenges, and receive professional support. By investing in staff wellbeing, schools can help reduce stress, build resilience, and enable their teams to continue supporting pupils with confidence and compassion.

Observations in the classroom.

These can be carried out for an individual or group of children to provide deeper insight and understanding of behaviour.

Formulation and recommendations.

Parent Support

We believe that supporting a child's emotional wellbeing is most effective when the important adults in their life are supported too. Our systemic approach recognises that lasting change is achieved by working not only with the child, but also in partnership with their family and school.

Our therapists work to build positive, trusting relationships with the parents and carers of the children they support, creating opportunities for open communication and collaborative working. We offer guidance and practical strategies to help parents understand and respond to their child's emotional needs, strengthening confidence and resilience within the family. Where additional support is needed, we also provide signposting and referrals to appropriate specialist services, ensuring families can access the right help at the right time.