Social Emotional and Mental Health Team (SEMH)

The SEMH team work collaboratively with all schools in Waltham Forest to promote and share the knowledge, skills and tools to understand behaviours as needs, to support children in ways that encourage positive learning behaviours, and to respond effectively to children when they are presenting as distressed, dysregulated and in need of support. This means the application of inclusive, strength-based and restorative approaches that improve communication and build relationships in schools.

Overview

The SEMH team are committed to understanding children’s behaviour as needs and promoting collaboration across the borough to create inclusive school cultures. 

We can offer support and intervention in schools for concerns around social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH) and managing harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). 

The SEMH Outreach team is comprised of: 

  • Kevin Morrish – SEMH Outreach Lead 
  • Amy Read - SEMH Outreach officer 
  • Devorah Coniston – SEMH Outreach Officer 
  • Andrew Wearing – SEMH Outreach Officer 

The Waltham Forest SEMH offer is nontraded and available to all maintained and academy schools in Waltham Forest and the children on roll in a Waltham Forest school setting.  

The SEMH team provide advice and guidance to schools that have a specific concern about an individual or group of children/young people.  

Support includes: 

  • 1:1 or small group intervention with a particular emphasis on preventative work and intervention to support children at risk of exclusion 
  • Working in partnership with school staff to provide appropriate early intervention 

How to refer 

Please use this referral form to refer a child you have SEMH concerns about.  

Please send all referrals to NSS@walthamforest.gov.uk , together with the completed parental consent form.

The Parent Guide can be shared with parents prior to any SEMH support commencing.

SEMH Drop-in Session

Part-time Timetables (PTT)

Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB)

SEMH Drop-In Sessions

SEMH Drop-in Session meets once a month during term time to support school professionals explore strategies, resources and pathways for children with SEMH barriers to learning and development. 

At each session schools will be able to access advice and support from the following Local Authority teams and partners:

  • Neurodiversity Specialist Support (NSS)
  • Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
  • Social Emotional Mental Health Outreach (SEMH)
  • Early Help
  • Hawkwood Group Senior Leaders
  • Education Psychology
  • Harmful Sexual Behaviour Team (HSB)

Each clinic lasts for two hours and is held online on Teams. Education colleagues and partners are always welcome to join at any time to listen and contribute. If you are a school wishing to have a child discussed, you must download the SEMH Drop-in session referral form and submit to NSS@walthamforest.gov.uk.

Please note the deadline for the referrals is 4pm on the Wednesday before the upcoming session (five school days before) Any referrals received after that date will be rolled over to the following month. The capacity for each session is five children to be discussed, so referring early is advised.

The ethos of the SEMH Drop-in session is about sharing valuable insight and experience in responding to children’s SEMH needs and barriers. We recognise that this is a complex and sometimes difficult area of our work; the sessions aim is also to build resilience as a community and provide space for professionals to feel supported and listened to in their practice. We do not set formal actions in the session, and everything discussed is advisory and confidential to the session.

You will need consent from the parent/carer in writing (email) before referring. Please attach/include that when referring. Referrals without consent will not be added to the agenda. 

Please see the following SEMH Drop-in session dates for the academic year 2026 to 2027. Every session is on a Wednesday and starts at 10am and ends at 12pm. Please email NSS@walthamforest/gov.uk to be added to SEMH Drop-in session group – you will then receive invites to all the dates for this academic year.

  • Wednesday 18 November 2026
  • Wednesday 9 December 2026
  • Wednesday 6 January 2027
  • Wednesday 10 February 2027
  • Wednesday 3 March 2027
  • Wednesday 14 April 2027
  • Wednesday 12 May 2027 
  • Wednesday 9 June 2027
  • Wednesday 7 July 2027

Part-Time Timetables (PTT)

Key Principles 

  • All pupils are entitled to a full-time education. 
  • Part-time timetables should only be used in exceptional circumstances and must be temporary. 
  • A part-time timetable should never be used as a long-term solution or to manage behaviour.  

When can a part-time timetable be used? 

A PTT may be considered where: 

  1. Physical or mental health needs prevent full-time attendance. 
  2. Reintegration or transition following a prolonged absence from education. 
  3. Emerging SEND needs, after appropriate support and consultation have taken place.  

Before implementing a PTT 

Schools must ensure: 

  • A range of interventions and support strategies have already been tried. 
  • A multi-agency meeting has taken place where relevant. 
  • The child and family's views have been considered. 
  • A risk assessment has been completed. 
  • Written parental consent has been obtained. 
  • Relevant professionals are involved (e.g. SEND Officer, Social Worker, Virtual School, CAMHS).  

Timescales 

  • Maximum duration: 6 to 7 weeks (one half term). 
  • A review meeting should be scheduled by Week 3. 
  • The plan should clearly show a gradual return to full-time education. 
  • Extensions are only permitted in exceptional circumstances and require further approval.  

 

Safeguarding Requirements 

Schools remain responsible for safeguarding pupils during any time they are not in school. Consider: 

  • Supervision arrangements at home. 
  • Risks relating to exploitation, criminal activity, substance misuse, or missing education. 
  • Vulnerability due to reduced attendance.  

Essential Documentation 

A PTT should include: 

  • Individual Education Plan (IEP). 
  • Risk Assessment. 
  • Proposed timetable showing reintegration to full-time attendance. 
  • Review dates. 
  • Named lead professional. 
  • Support strategies and expected outcomes. 
  • Parental consent.  

Attendance Coding 

  • Time not in school as part of an agreed PTT is recorded as authorised absence. 
  • Pupils must not be marked present when they are not in school. 
  • Schools should use the appropriate DfE attendance codes 
  • Notification to the Local Authority 
  • The Learning and Inclusion Service must be notified at least 5 school days before the timetable starts. 
  • Documentation should be emailed to PTT@walthamforest.gov.uk. 
  • The LA will monitor and review all part-time timetables. 

Additional Requirements for Vulnerable Pupils 

Pupils with EHCPs 

  • SEND Officer must agree to the arrangement. 
  • An early review of the EHCP should be held. 
  • A part-time timetable must not reduce provision specified in the EHCP. Children in Care 
  • Agreement required from the Social Worker and Virtual School. 
  • A PEP meeting should take place before the timetable begins Children on CIN or CP Plans 
  • Multi-agency agreement is required. 
  • Social Worker consent must be obtained. What Is NOT a Part-Time Timetable? 
  • A pupil attending both school and an alternative provision through dual registration. 
  • A pupil receiving approved individual tuition while dual registered.  

Quick Checklist for Schools 

  1. Evidence interventions tried first 
  2. Multi-agency discussion held 
  3. Risk assessment completed 
  4. Child's views captured 
  5. Parent/carer consent obtained 
  6. Reintegration plan to full-time education within 6-7 weeks 
  7. LA notified 5 days before start date 
  8. Review scheduled for Week 3 
  9. Safeguarding arrangements in place  

This guidance makes it clear that a PTT should be a short-term, carefully planned intervention designed to return a pupil to full-time education as quickly as possible. 

For further information, please see this timetable guidance. Parents/ carers can find more information here. 

For initial or extension referrals, please complete the relevant referral form and send to PTT@walthamforest.gov.uk.  

Last update: Thursday 5th of November 2026 04:44:07 PM