Is Inclusion the new Wellbeing?
In the latest episode of the IncludED podcast, Kelly Hannaghan, Mental Health and Wellbeing Consultant at LGfL, joined us for a deep dive into the state of the UK education system.
It was a look at the "perfect storm" of challenges facing schools today and a roadmap for how we can navigate through them with heart and purpose.
Kelly advocates for staff wellbeing, parental partnerships, and the balance between EdTech and human connection.
For many, "inclusion" seems to have become a buzzword, a box to be checked on an OFSTED report. Kelly argues for a radical shift. Inclusion isn't a prescriptive set of rules; it’s the continuous consideration of every individual.
Whether it’s supporting LGBTQ+ students, neurodiverse learners, or families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, the goal remains the same: to ensure every person in the whole school community feels seen, heard, and valued.
Kelly suggests a Three-Step Model approach:
- Step 1: Identification. Use surveys and "emotional temperature checks" to see where your community is.
But remember: data is just a snapshot of a moment in time. - Step 2: Purposeful Intervention. Avoid a massive menu of shallow interventions. Pick a few high-impact actions and do them exceptionally well. Simple is the new complex.
- Step 3: Measuring and Pausing. Take "wellbeing walks" to look for "golden moments", those small, unscripted instances of kindness and connection that a spreadsheet will never capture.
Schools have become incredibly good at spotting when a child is struggling, but services like CAMHS are overwhelmed. This places a massive burden on educators, who are often the first point of contact for GPs and social care.
Kelly’s advice? Focus on what you can control. Teachers are not clinicians, and letting go of the things outside your sphere of influence is a necessary act of self-preservation.
"We are a data-drowning society, and that pressure trickles down. When we focus only on academic moulds, we risk losing the students who don't fit them."
What about parental partnerships?
Traditionally, schools have offered "parenting workshops" to bridge the gap between home and the classroom.
However, Kelly points out a hard truth: these can often feel accusatory or patronising, especially to parents who had a difficult or exclusionary experience during their own time in school.
To create Parental Empowerment, we must shift toward Collaborative Partnerships.
- Recognise that for some parents, walking through school gates triggers genuine anxiety.
- Instead of "teaching" parents how to parent, schools should approach them as the experts on their own children.
- A side-by-side journey where the school and the family are a united front, working toward the same outcome: the child’s well-being.
What about staff wellbeing?
The crisis in teacher retention, particularly among early-career teachers, isn't just about workload; it’s about emotional sustainability. Kelly advocates for a culture of "Non-Negotiables." We need to reframe self-care. It isn't a "nice-to-have" or a selfish luxury; it is a selfless act. A burnt-out teacher cannot provide the emotional regulation or the "golden moments" of connection that students need.
- Healthy Boundaries: This means clear "switch-off" times and a leadership culture that respects them.
- Permission to Pause: Encouraging staff to step back when they are reaching their limit is vital for long-term career longevity.
'When staff feel supported, they respond rather than react'
Kelly suggests that staff professional development should be person-led, focusing on individual educators' needs rather than just on curriculum delivery. One-size-fits-all training often fails to address the unique emotional aspects of teaching.
A critical component of this is Reflective Supervision.
Reflective supervision provides a safe, structured space for staff:
- Process Secondary Trauma: Teachers often carry the weight of their students' home lives and struggles.
- Combat Compassion Fatigue: By discussing these challenges with a peer or mentor, staff can prevent the "emotional numbness" that leads to burnout.
- Develop Emotional Literacy: Understanding their own triggers helps teachers stay grounded during high-stress classroom interactions.
What about EdTech and human connection?
Technology is no longer an optional "extra" in the classroom; it is a fundamental tool for equity. Kelly highlights that for neurodiverse students, EdTech is often the bridge to participation. Whether it’s speech-to-text software for a dyslexic learner or a quiet digital space for an autistic student to process information, technology provides accessibility and differentiated learning that a standard textbook simply cannot.
Despite being constantly "plugged in" via social media, social anxiety and loneliness among students are at record highs. The pressure to perform for an invisible audience, chasing "likes" and maintaining a curated digital persona, is exhausting.
Schools must be "safe harbours" where a child’s value is rooted in their character and presence, not their follower count or digital engagement.
Creating physical environments that encourage eye contact, collaborative play, and face-to-face debate helps rebuild the social norms that have weakened in the digital era.
While an algorithm can suggest a peer group, it cannot replicate the "golden moments" of a teacher’s encouraging nod or a friend’s physical presence during a difficult day.
Schools shouldn't reject technology, but rather frame it with boundaries:
- Teach students (and staff) how to "unplug" intentionally.
- Prioritise restorative justice and circle time to practice the nuanced, non-verbal communication that gets lost in text-based interactions.
- Use tech to give students a voice, but use the "real world" to give them a community.
Kelly concludes the podcast with a personal reflection on herself being a "dyslexic thinker" who struggled with a stutter. Her turning point came when a teacher recognised her talent for disco dancing rather than her academic struggles.
'The ultimate goal of inclusion is to unearth these hidden talents and ensure every child has a "seat at the wellbeing discussion table'
Listen to the full IncludED podcast with Kelly
To support you further, have a look at the LGfL Mental Health and Wellbeing training portfolio to book onto our extensive training offer.
