In this episode, host Becky Dawson sits down with Kieran Smith, founder of SEMH Education and an experienced Education Officer in youth justice, to explore practical approaches for supporting children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Kieran shares his journey from mainstream teaching to specialist settings, offering unique insights into how educators can bridge the gap between these environments to improve student outcomes. The conversation focuses on a whole-school approach to wellbeing, the necessity of trauma-informed practices, and the vital role of multi-agency collaboration in supporting our most vulnerable learners.

Kieran discusses the reality of high-pressure environments, such as classrooms with high EAL and SEMH populations, and provides tangible strategies for behaviour management through regulation and pacing. Educators can expect to learn how to design a school day that prioritises mental health and student agency, moving away from rigid structures toward flexible, relationship-focused education. This episode is a must-listen for teachers looking for "nuggets" of wisdom to help co-regulate with pupils and reduce classroom crisis points.

• Pacing the school day for regulation: Alternating high-demand and low-demand lessons ensures that both students and staff remain regulated and ready to learn.
• The "wasted time" paradox: Investing 10 minutes in regulation breaks—such as box breathing, sensory activities, or calm transitions—saves significant time by preventing crises later.
• Proactive identification of Stage One behaviours: Spotting a child's unique "micro-signals" (like tapping a pen or stretching) allows for early intervention before an escalation occurs.
• Designing "Soft Landings": Creating a 15–30 minute window at the start of the day for check-ins and low-pressure activities supports children coming from difficult home environments.
• Multi-agency puzzle building: Collaborating with social care, police, and health professionals via email chains or meetings is essential to create a full picture of a child’s needs.
• The value of specialist experience: Mainstream teachers should consider "testing the waters" in specialist SEMH settings to rediscover autonomy and learn advanced regulation techniques.

00:05 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Kieran Smith and the SEMH Education Substack.

01:33 - Kieran’s Journey - Moving from a class of 36 in Wrexham to specialist SEMH settings.

09:55 - Specialist vs. Mainstream - Discussing the freedom, autonomy, and flexibility found in alternative provision.

11:46 - The Birth of SEMH Education - Why Kieran started writing his newsletter to capture teaching tips.

13:52 - Biggest Challenges for Educators - Mental energy, micro-decisions, and environmental stressors in the classroom.

17:42 - Designing an SEMH-Friendly Day - Pacing, regulation breaks, soft landings, and calm transitions.

26:41 - Multi-Agency Collaboration - The importance of shared information and tapping into local authority resources.

33:14 - Top Tip: The Six Stages of Crisis - How to identify and act on "Stage One" behaviours to prevent escalation.

Connect with us: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review to help other educators find these important conversations. For feedback, questions, or to share the brilliant work you are doing in your setting, email us at: teamwellbeing@twinkl.co.uk.