Provide opportunities for daily check in with a key adult/team of adults.
Allow engagement with a neutral task or complete an assigned ‘job’ at school to reduce feelings of anxiety.
Work with a group of key staff to identify the individual profile of the young person to gain an understanding of their individual triggers, observable behaviours, as well specific escalating and de-escalating adult responses. An example of this might be the RAMP (Reducing Anxiety Management Plan).
Other strategies may include:
- Assigning a keyworker;
- Visual timetables, now and next;
- Wellbeing sessions;
- Giving young people time to talk;
- Time out passes;
- Gratitude journaling - think of 3 things you are pleased with;
- Grounding techniques to be used during time out e.g. breathing or tapping;
- Sensory breaks;
- Individual workstations;
- Preparing for the day ahead - checking with keyworker each day to go through each lesson expectations/changes;
- Access to quiet room/space;
- Use of ‘Starving the anxiety gremlin’;
- Transition planning;
Mindfulness and holistics via Early Break (5-16 years).