“As social beings, the capacity to form and maintain relationships is essential to us and how we function within society. It is a key component to being mentally healthy, and having a positive sense of wellbeing” (Lavis, 2016). The relationships that children form with their family, peers and teachers can have a very positive effect on their mental health and wellbeing. However, the absence or negative impacts of these relationships can leave lasting effects on children. For instance, Children with poor family relationships aged 10 are far more likely to have mental health problems like depression and anxiety by 14 (children’s society, 2018). In addition to this, Children who have been neglected are more likely to experience mental health problems including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (GOV, 2019). Children who experience negative relationships from a young age often don’t acquire the skills needed to form new relationships, whether that be with a teacher or making friends (Lavis, 2016). Teachers are likely to spot the signs that a child is experiencing negative relationships, as they are likely to present abnormal behaviour which can vary from being withdraw and isolating themselves to acting negatively towards others, even bullying peers (NSPCC, 2018). As a practitioner if you believe a child is being subjected to neglect or emotional abuse it is your duty to report this to your safeguarding lead within the school to make sure not more damage is done to their mental health or wellbeing. Furthermore, if you have a pupil who has not had the chance to develop relationship forming skills, there are social and emotional learning programmes which you could use with them (see links below). These alongside modelling and highlighting positive behaviour should allow the child to form friendships and relationships with others.
Further information:
Links to social and emotional learning programmes
https://www.eif.org.uk/files/pdf/introduction-to-sel-in-schools.pdf
https://gostrengths.com/
http://www.pathseducation.co.uk/paths-blog/school-based-social-and-emotional-learning-programmes
relationships