Shutdown Support Toolkit – When a Child Shuts Down | KS2 SEND

KS2 Regulation, De-escalation & Reconnection Bundle

A practical three-resource KS2 SEND, SEMH and pastoral support bundle for supporting children before, during and after difficult moments. This Pastoral Practice Press bundle brings together three complementary low-pressure toolkits designed to help teachers, teaching assistants, SEND staff, pastoral teams and nurture practitioners respond across the whole cycle of a difficult situation. Before It Escalates – Early Support & De-escalation Toolkit Designed for the early stages of difficulty, when a child may still be able to communicate, make choices and respond to support but is beginning to find the situation harder to manage. The toolkit helps adults notice early changes, reduce unnecessary pressure, simplify demands, make choices more manageable and give one clear next step before the situation becomes more difficult. When a Child Shuts Down – Low-Pressure Support Toolkit Designed for moments when a child becomes quiet, withdrawn, still or unable to engage in the way they usually would. The resource supports adults to reduce language and questioning, offer alternative ways to communicate, keep connection available without demanding engagement and allow the child to re-engage gradually. After a Difficult Moment – Repair & Reconnection Toolkit Designed for the period after a difficult moment, when the immediate situation has passed but the child may not yet be ready for a full explanation, apology or restorative conversation. The toolkit supports reconnection, returning to routine, meaningful repair, communication without pressure and reviewing what may help next time. Together, the three resources provide practical support across: BEFORE — noticing early signs, reducing pressure and preventing unnecessary escalation. DURING — supporting reduced communication or shutdown without forcing conversation, eye contact or immediate responses. AFTER — reconnecting, returning to routine, repairing relationships and reflecting when the child has greater capacity to take part. Throughout the bundle, the emphasis is on maintaining appropriate boundaries while reducing unnecessary pressure. The resources do not assume that behaviour automatically tells us what a child is thinking or feeling, and they avoid making immediate emotional disclosure the goal. Children are offered different ways to communicate, including talking, pointing, choosing, writing, drawing, gestures or responding later. The bundle includes practical staff guidance, ready-to-use phrases, pupil-facing worksheets, quick decision-making tools and reusable individual support plans. Suitable for KS2 / ages 7–11, SEND and SEMH provision, pastoral and nurture support, teaching assistants, SEND staff, 1:1 work, de-escalation, regulation support, relationship-based practice and restorative work. Three practical toolkits. One joined-up approach. Before • During • After Please note: These are educational and pastoral resources. They are not replacements for safeguarding procedures, professional assessment, individual behaviour or safety plans, or specialist support.