Students with mental health challenges can find it difficult to attend a mainstream setting which can diminish their educational potential. Schools can also find it troublesome trying to implement a suitable provision and raise attendance figures.
However, there can be alternatives provided for these children struggling which can allow them to thrive in their education. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some strategies you can implement to help reintegrate your students with mental health challenges.
“To aid reintegration, as far as possible, the child should be able to access the curriculum and materials that they would have used in their home school. This could also include attending educational visits, even if this requires providing extra and suitable support. This could also possibly include the use of digital resources.”
Strategies to overcome mental health challenges
1. Individualised support
When reintegrating students, we must consider their level of academic ability and provide suitable plans for them. Make sure to have regular meetings with them and their parents to offer transparent communication so they understand where their destination is.
It’s important to implement a designated learning pathway for these students too. Ensure that it accommodates their needs and it isn’t overwhelming for them which could discourage them from learning. Integrate continuous assessment with measure tracking tools to evaluate their progress and identify areas for improvement.
2. Build trust and rapport
Creating meaningful relationships with students is essential if they are to reintegrate back into full-time education. These students need to feel valued, understood and safe if they are even to think of returning to school.
This can be achieved through having relaxed communication about their day, likes and interests to gradually discuss learning. Once they form a bond with a teacher they might feel more inclined to engage with their education.
3. Part-time timetables
Part-time timetables can be a good way to start to introduce children struggling with mental health back into a mainstream setting. A hybrid approach can allow these students to incrementally build confidence and their understanding of core content under less pressure.
We must use part-time timetables sparingly though with every effort to reintegrate children full-time once they are ready. However, part-time timetables can be transformative for a child’s confidence, especially those with EBSA or autism or who aren’t ready for the rigours of a full week.
4. Use online learning
Students with mental health challenges can benefit from using online learning for a variety of reasons. The main reason is the flexibility it can offer. Online learning can allow students to learn at their own pace in a setting they feel comfortable. This can allow students who suffer from anxiety to learn in an environment where they don’t feel pressure.
In addition to this, online learning can raise children’s confidence academically and personally. By using a broad and balanced curriculum, children can attain knowledge and understanding better than what they could if they were in full-tile education.
Some forms of social interaction must be integrated either with peers or a qualified teacher to ensure children are acquiring communication skills. This can help prepare them better for adulthood once they finish their education.
Using online alternative provision
Online alternative provision can be a perfect model for reintegrating students struggling with their mental health. EDClass offers one-to-one pastoral and academic support from UK-qualified teachers to raise confidence, engagement and attendance. Students can also benefit from effective safeguarding measures that ensure they feel safe and supported when using the online platform.
If you would like to learn what EDClass does and how influential it can be on a child’s reintegration journey then call 01909 56833, send an email to mail@edclass.com or enquire for more information here.
