By Jacob Leach
In this blog, you will learn:
About the increase in SEMH needs and reasons behind this.
Why social and emotional development matters.
Why SEMH specialists and SEND Tutors are more important than ever.
Where the latest SEND Tutor jobs are and how to apply for them.
Over the past few years, the UK education landscape has shifted significantly, with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs becoming more common among children and young people than ever before.
According to a report by education charity, nurtureuk, the number of pupils in England with high-level needs increased by 60% between 2018 and 2024.
With data like this, and growing pressure in mainstream classrooms, we’re looking at why SEMH specialists and SEND Tutors are more essential than ever.
Why is there an increase in SEMH needs?
Rising SEMH needs appear to stem from several factors, including cost-of-living pressures, increased reliance on social media, more complex needs, and the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns disrupted life for everyone across the UK. For students in key educational years, this instability seems to have had a lasting effect on their Social, Emotional, and Mental Health.
Long periods of isolation and emotional dysregulation can be linked to the increase in additional needs and challenges with re-engaging since the pandemic. As the lines between home and school blurred, children lost vital social time and their daily routines were disrupted. It’s no surprise many are still struggling in the post-pandemic world.
Alongside an increase in SEMH needs, our Educational Psychology Workforce Insights Report 2025 uncovered a potential link between the pandemic and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). One respondent told us “There are increased SEMH needs post Covid and increased EBSA. Possibly influenced by societal and cultural changes but also a narrowed curriculum.”
Why does social and emotional development matter?
The social and emotional development of children and young people is important for multiple reasons, including:
To develop self-confidence and self-esteem.
To help children learn skills for self-regulation.
To improve resilience during periods of anxiety or stress.
To build healthy relationships with peers and adults.
To develop communication and social interaction skills.
To support successful conflict resolution.
To reduce the likelihood of Emotionally Based School Avoidance.
To build positive foundations for adulthood and future opportunities.
To help with changes in routine and transitions throughout childhood.
To support positive mental health.
To enhance decision-making and independence.
Why are SEMH specialists and SEND Tutors more important than ever?
As SEMH needs continue to rise, trained SEMH specialists and SEND professionals, including SEND Tutors, are increasingly vital to support the wellbeing of children and young people.
Their unique experience and skills are crucial for providing the support that vulnerable individuals need to reach their potential.
These professionals are more important than ever, because:
Mainstream classrooms are under increasing pressure.
Early intervention can prevent future challenges.
Personalised learning is essential for needs to be met.
EBSA is a notable challenge.
Mainstream classrooms are under increasing pressure
Despite the UK government releasing the Schools White Paper and investing £200 million in training to ensure every Teacher can support children with SEND, many mainstream classrooms are experiencing increasing pressure to address a diverse range of learning needs.
Should the classroom become an unmanageable environment for students, SEMH specialists and SEND Tutors are often called upon to provide alternative support.
A child might be placed with a SEND Tutor as a stipulation of their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) under government funding, or a family may choose to fund this kind of support privately.
Early intervention can prevent future challenges
Should children and young people with SEND not receive the intervention they require in a timely manner, challenges that begin as small obstacles can escalate.
Specialist intervention from SEMH professionals and SEND Tutors can significantly improve the long-term social, emotional and educational outcomes of learners and reduce the likelihood of challenges associated with school absence, anxiety and disengagement.
Personalised learning is essential for needs to be met
When SEND Tutors intervene, support is often carried out on a 1:1 or small-group basis in a setting familiar to a student with SEND. Traditional teaching methods don’t work for everyone and SEMH and SEND support is often much more flexible than education in a classroom setting.
For example, if a student experiences a ‘meltdown’ SEND Tutors are able to adapt their lesson plans with immediate effect and put measures in place to help a student self-regulate.
SEMH specialists also play a critical role in reducing the likelihood of school exclusions or breakdowns in placements.
EBSA is a notable challenge
As mentioned, Emotionally Based School Avoidance has been signposted as an after-effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more students finding it difficult to attend school, SEMH specialists and SEND tutors play an increasingly important role. They support pupils through these challenges and help them reconnect with education in a positive, lasting way.
To help children reintegrate with education, it is vital to understand the driving forces behind non-attendance, whether this be anxiety-driven or a neurodivergency such as autism. SEMH specialists are well-equipped to shed light on this.
Understanding the root causes of EBSA helps educators put effective support in place so students with SEND can reach their true academic potential.
Mainstream and SEND Tutor recruitment specialists
As specialist mainstream and SEND Tutor recruiters, we provide schools and local authorities with experienced tutors to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), those who are vulnerable, and those whose educational journeys have been disrupted. Our tutors support a wide range of needs including SEMH, autism, ADHD and those with EHCPs, as well as learners who are out of school or in alternative provision.
If you're struggling to recruit the right talent, simply request a call back and one of our experienced recruiters will contact you to discuss how we can help.
Looking for your next Tutor job? Either search the latest jobs or upload your CV and one of our consultants will be in touch when a suitable opportunity arises.