Level 4 Award in Supporting Children & Young People with Social, Emotional & Mental Health Needs (SEMH)

Registrations of Interest are now open for the cohort starting on 1st October 2024.

Click below to begin your registration or read on for further details.

“Thank you for teaching in such a clear and understanding way. The discussions we had during our contact days were invaluable.”
— Peterborough SENCO

It is estimated that one in ten children and young people have a diagnosable mental disorder – the equivalent of three pupils in every classroom across the country. Social, emotional and mental health needs are recognised as one of the greatest social challenges of our time (DfE, 2017). A focus on deepening the knowledge and skills of staff within schools is crucial to developing approaches, which have positive impact on outcomes for children and young people.

This course is designed to build knowledge and confidence and develop a range of practical skills to fulfil a teaching or support role for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs.

On successful completion, you will gain the Level 4 Award in Supporting Children and Young People with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs and 6 Level 4 credits from Gateway Qualifications.

  • Participants can access the Level 4 Award in Supporting children and young people with SEMH needs by laptop/tablet/phone.


    Participants can access the Level 4 Award in Supporting Children and Young People with SEMH via three pathways:


    • Online (with access to online course materials and portfolio)
    • Group 152* (with access to online course materials, portfolio and virtual workshop sessions delivered by Eastern Partnership UK (SEND))
    • Blended (with access to online course materials, portfolio and workshop sessions delivered by local area teams (virtually / face to face) where partnerships are in place)


    *Group 152, our newest pathway, so named as participants from any of the 152 local authorities in England can join this real-time Virtual Classroom. Participants can enjoy the interactive experience and develop networking opportunities with others across the country.

    The course runs twice a year, with a cohort starting in the Spring (1st February) and Autumn (1st October). The course duration is nine months. Workshop sessions (delivered locally and as part of Group 152) will take place in the first six months of the course.
    Participants can work through the course at their own pace and can submit their portfolio at any time within the nine months.
    Eastern Partnership UK (SEND) allocate a Learning Outcome Assessor to every participant. Their role is to provide feedback to strengthen portfolio work ready for final submission. All correspondence with Learning Outcome Assessors takes place on our online platform.

  • The expected duration of this course is nine months. There are seven chapters of learning in the course that include, but are not limited to:

    -The roles and responsibilities of different professionals, working in schools / settings and beyond, to support children and young people with SEMH needs, including the participant’s role and how this contributes to the effectiveness of support.
    -Typical social and emotional development and the factors that may increase a child or young person’s risk of developing SEMH needs.
    -The impact of SEMH needs on other areas of development.
    -Identification of SEMH needs.
    -Strategies for supporting children and young people with SEMH needs.
    -Techniques to engage children and young people in the support process and provide opportunities for them to develop their skills.

    In order to evidence the Learning Outcomes for the course, participants will complete an online portfolio made up of learning activities and reflections linked to the seven chapters of learning.

    6 Level 4 credits equates to at least 60 hours of learning. This consists of guided learning hours (engagement in the course materials) and non-guided learning hours (engagement in learning activities and reflections).

  • In order to evidence the Learning Outcomes for the course, participants will complete an online portfolio made up of learning activities and reflections linked to the seven chapters of learning.

    Participants on the online pathway will have access to a Learning Outcome Assessor who will provide feedback to support participants to gain the level of knowledge and practical skills required and to strengthen portfolio work ready for final submission. All correspondence with Learning Outcome Assessors takes place on our online platform.

    Participants accessing Group 152 or locally delivered workshop sessions (where partnerships are in place) will have access to a Tutor and Learning Outcome Assessor. The Tutor and Learning Outcome Assessor will support participants to gain the level of knowledge and practical skills required and to strengthen portfolio work ready for final submission. All correspondence with Learning Outcome Assessors takes place on our online platform.

    Once submitted, portfolios will go through Eastern Partnership UK (SEND)’s quality assurance process to check that evidence meets the Learning Outcomes for the course.

  • -Building the capacity of staff to better support children and young people with SEMH needs in your school or setting.
    -Impacting positively on pupil outcomes and progress.
    -Helping improve independent learning behaviours and self-regulation of children who have both short / longer-term difficulties with their social and emotional development and mental health needs.

  • The course is open to those:

    -Working in a teaching or support role in early years/primary/secondary schools & educational establishments
    -Building a portfolio of Level 4 SEND related qualifications.

  • Currently under review

How to register your interest for Autumn 2024

Please complete the registration form on the button below.