Supporting young people at risk of school exclusion through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and allied models: A new service model and case study example.

This article focuses on a novel Educational Psychology Service (EPS) delivery model developed to reduce school exclusions and suspensions among children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in England. Rooted in Contextual Behavioural Science (CBS) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), the Enable Inclusion Team (EIT) provides holistic, values-based coaching and support to children, families, and schools to promote inclusion and wellbeing. A detailed case study of a seven-year-old boy at risk of exclusion illustrates positive outcomes, including improved school attendance, reduced challenging behaviors, and enhanced social inclusion, as measured by parent-reported Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire scores and school observations. While preliminary results are promising, the model remains in a pilot phase with further research needed to establish broader efficacy and generalizability.