There are lots of reasons why school can feel like a challenge. I am here to explore what this might be about for you and help you make sense of this.
I will work alongside you and the people who support you at home and in school to find ways to help.

It s important to me that you are listened to, understood and supported to find the solutions that work for you.

If you are a parent or carer, there may be a specific area you wish to explore to help support your young person, or you may be more generally concerned and feel unsure about where to start.

You may want some support

• helping your young person with big emotions.

• strengthening belonging and connection in their relationships in school.

• understanding your young person’s neurodiverse needs and working together to identify supports so their classroom and community feels like it works for them.

• identifying specific areas of learning your young person may be finding a challenge and exploring strategies which are personalised for them.

• making sense of their cognitive needs and how best to design environments and tasks where your young person can learn at their best.

• giving your young person the support they need in their school to cope loss, change or grief.

I will provide a supportive, compassionate and respectful space for you and your young person to explore your concerns and reflect on ways forward. I value opportunities to work in collaboration with schools and community partners and to build a solution focused support network around your child.

I can also offer assessment to identify specific cognitive difficulties which are impacting on your young person's learning experience, for example dyslexia, dyscalculia, working memory, attention. I can assist the translation of supports for specific needs, for example neurodiversity and mental health, into everyday interventions.

What will happen

I will arrange a consultation via phone call or video call where you can share your young person’s story and discuss if I can help.

If we agree I can help, there are many different ways I can be involved, and the format will vary with the need of your young person.

Firstly I will meet with you and your young person to create a picture of their strengths and needs and an understanding about the barriers they are facing inside and outside of school. I will take into account different contexts which may involve making sense of other assessments your young person has had, understanding needs through play and/or observation, talking with relevant staff and finding ways together to help your young person feel able to contribute their views.

Where direct assessment is required, this would take place within the everyday environment which your young person is most familiar with, for example this could be at home or in school or outdoors. I would aim to make sure this feels safe and supportive, developmentally appropriate and at best, minimally intrusive.

I will facilitate conversations with those who know your young person best to share different perspectives and to contribute to ideas for supports and making changes. I will work in partnership to develop a solution focused, practical plan of intervention where you and those working with your young person feel equipped and empowered to make a positive impact on your young person’s journey.

Where requested, I will offer ongoing support or follow up review to support impact.

Inclusive Psychology offers consultation and training for practitioners, schools and teams to help deepen understanding and knowledge and build skills for practice.

If you are someone who works with young people you may be thinking about ways to enhance your professional learning, for example to

• create inclusive classrooms and learning spaces which reduce barriers for young people.

• calm young people’s heightened emotions and make the shift to stress-reducing interactions.

• create safe, inclusive and affirming environments for neurodiverse young people.

• develop skills to help strengthen young people’s capacity to regulate their emotions.

• deepen understanding and skills in relational approaches and trauma sensitive practice.

• feel prepared to support your young people to cope with bereavement and loss.

• reflect on and enhance your relational skills by participating in video interaction guidance.

• build skills in supervision and reflective practice.

• use psycho-education to help look after the mental well-being of yourself and your team and provide a sound well-being foundation for young people.

Training can be offered online or in-person, as short workshops or during staff development days.

I can support you to implement ideas into practice and to measure impact over time.

What will happen

If you are looking for ideas to develop your school or organisation I can arrange a free initial consultation via phone or video call to discuss if I can help.