Therapy & Support / Advice & next steps
Social anxiety and confidence
Withdrawal or avoidance can be a protective response. Start by listening to the child and understanding what makes particular social situations difficult.
Quick answer
Social anxiety can involve intense fear of judgement, embarrassment or social situations and may affect school, friendships and daily activities. Confidence grows through safety, choice, achievable participation and appropriate clinical support—not by forcing exposure or treating distress as poor effort.
What this means
Explore whether anxiety relates to communication, bullying, sensory load, past experiences, uncertainty or other SEND needs. Agree low-pressure ways to participate and a trusted route for asking for help. Any gradual practice should be planned with the child and adjusted if distress escalates.
Anxiety is a physical and emotional response to feeling unsafe or unprepared. Recognising this allows you and the school to shift from expecting the child to 'fit in' to helping the environment feel more approachable.
Many children benefit from school-based pastoral support, emotional literacy groups, or guidance from SENDIASS. These resources can often provide the necessary scaffolding before seeking external support.
Questions to ask
Which situations feel unsafe or overwhelming? • What adjustment would make participation more manageable? • Who can the child contact when anxiety rises?
Local Northamptonshire route
School adjustments begin with the SENCO. Health support follows current NHS routes. North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire have separate Local Offer and SENDIASS information for education support.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Seek health advice where anxiety is persistent, worsening or limiting daily life. Paid therapy is optional; use a suitably qualified practitioner and avoid promises of rapid cures.
What happens next?
Agree a small next step chosen with the child and review distress before increasing demands. Seek urgent help if there is immediate risk or a mental-health crisis.
Support that may help
School SENCO, SENDIASS, Pastoral Lead, Counsellor
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.