North Star Academy Trust CEO Kaye Palmer-Greene explains how their schools are disrupting the school to prison pipeline for children with SEMH needs thanks to a holistic approach…
In today’s world, the prevalence of Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) issues among children is a growing concern.
Studies indicate that approximately one in five children worldwide grapple with SEMH challenges, encompassing a range of conditions such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. North Star Academy Trust specialises in supporting pupils with SEMH needs.
Recognising the urgent need for meaningful support for these children and their families, our team embarked on a mission to develop SToPP—a comprehensive model aimed at addressing the multifaceted needs of children with SEMH issues and fostering resilience, empowerment, and wellbeing.
The Problem:
Children with SEMH issues and their families face a myriad of challenges, including stigma, limited access to services, fragmented support systems, educational difficulties, family strain, and inadequate prevention and early intervention strategies. Existing support systems often fall short in meeting the diverse and complex needs of these individuals, leaving many without the necessary resources and interventions to thrive.
SToPP, which refers to the ‘schools to prison pipeline,’ is inspired by research completed in the United States and Australia. It recognises the alarming trend where students, particularly those with SEMH issues, are funneled from schools into the criminal justice system due to punitive disciplinary practices. North Star Academy Trust has been using SToPP to prevent this happening here in Bristol.
The Solution:
SToPP offers a holistic approach to supporting children with SEMH issues and their families, focusing on personalized support plans, integrated care coordination, early intervention and prevention, empowerment, and continuous monitoring and evaluation.
By addressing the specific needs of each child and family, providing timely interventions, and fostering collaboration and empowerment, our model aims to promote positive outcomes and well-being for all.
The development of SToPP was guided by rigorous research, collaboration with experts, and insights from stakeholders. Needs assessments, literature reviews, and expert consultations informed the development of our model, which underwent iterative testing and refinement. Partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, and community organisations were instrumental in shaping the model and ensuring its alignment with real-world needs.
A transformative approach to supporting children and families
We’ve had some great results with SToPP to-date and hope to continue using this approach – scaling it up to support even more families in Bristol and the surrounding area.
SToPP represents a transformative approach to supporting children with SEMH issues and their families, offering holistic, personalised, and evidence-based interventions that promote resilience, empowerment, and wellbeing.
By addressing the specific needs of each child and family and fostering collaboration and empowerment, our model has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of those impacted by SEMH issues.
We at North Star Academy Trust are on a mission to create a future where every child can thrive, regardless of their mental health challenges; together, we can support the wellbeing of all.
