Recent headlines have sparked an important conversation across education. A government-commissioned review into youth worklessness is expected to recommend a greater focus on identifying children who may be at risk of becoming NEET – not in education, employment or training – later in life. The review highlights factors that can emerge during childhood and argues for earlier identification and intervention. 

While some of the headlines have focused on identifying children "at risk" of future unemployment, we believe the opportunity for schools is much more positive. Early identification isn't about predicting a child's future. It's about understanding what they need today and acting early enough to make a difference. 

Understanding what's behind behaviour

Poor attendance, disengagement, difficulties with relationships or behaviour can all be signs that a child needs additional support. But identifying the visible issue is only the beginning. Understanding the social and emotional needs that may sit behind it can help schools decide what support a pupil needs and intervene before difficulties become more established.

That's exactly what the Boxall Profile® Online is designed to help schools do.

The Boxall Profile® is an evidence-based assessment of social and emotional development. It gives education professionals a structured way to understand pupils' strengths and areas of need, helping them move from observation to informed action. Rather than labelling a child as being "at risk", the Boxall Profile® Online helps schools ask a much more useful question:

What does this child need from us to help them engage, develop and thrive?

From early identification to targeted support

Schools can use Boxall Profile® Online with an individual pupil, a group or across a whole class, helping them identify needs that may otherwise be difficult to recognise. Assessment results provide insight into different areas of social and emotional development and can be used to inform the support a pupil receives.

Within Boxall Profile® Online, schools can:

  • assess social and emotional development
  • identify strengths and areas where additional support may be needed
  • create individual, group and class learning plans
  • plan strategies based on identified need
  • reassess pupils and track change over time
  • compare assessment data to understand progress
  • build a wider picture of SEMH needs across their school.

This creates a clear journey from identifying need to planning support and measuring its impact.

Supporting a graduated approach

Early identification is most valuable when it leads to action.

The Boxall Profile® Online can support schools throughout the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle.

  • Assess: Use the Boxall Profile® to better understand a pupil's social and emotional development and identify areas of need.
  • Plan: Use assessment insights and learning plans to identify appropriate strategies and support.
  • Do: Put those strategies into practice through classroom provision, targeted intervention or nurture support.
  • Review: Reassess, compare results and see where change has taken place and where further support may be needed.

This gives schools a consistent, evidence-informed approach rather than relying solely on individual observations or waiting for difficulties to escalate.

Seeing need across the whole school

Early identification doesn't have to start when a pupil is already struggling. Because the Boxall Profile® Online can be used with whole classes, schools can take a more proactive approach to understanding social and emotional development.

This can help identify pupils whose needs may be less visible, understand patterns across classes or year groups and inform decisions about where support and resources could have the greatest impact.

Alongside individual assessment data, schools can use their Boxall Profile® Online data to build a clearer picture of SEMH need and progress across the school. That moves early identification from being simply a response to a problem towards becoming part of a whole-school approach to inclusion and prevention.

Identifying need without defining a child's future

No assessment can – or should – predict whether a child will become unemployed or disengaged from education later in life. The value of early assessment is therefore not in predicting what will happen. It is in giving schools better information about what they can do now.

As the national conversation increasingly focuses on early intervention, attendance, inclusion and preventing children from becoming disengaged, schools need practical ways to understand need, plan support and demonstrate whether that support is working.

The Boxall Profile® Online provides schools with an evidence-based way to do exactly that – helping them identify social and emotional needs early, turn insight into action and track progress over time.

Because identifying that a child might need support is only the first step. Understanding what they need – and what to do next – is what can make the difference.

Experience the benefits yourself: Start your free trial

We invite you to start a 30-day free trial of the Boxall Profile® Online to see how it can enhance the outcomes and pupil wellbeing in your setting. This trial offers a hands-on opportunity to explore its features and understand how it can be customised to meet the diverse needs of your students.

Join thousands of professionals who are making a tangible difference in the lives of children, supporting the social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) of all children and young people, to positively impact their learning, behaviour, attendance, and wellbeing.

Start your free trial now and unlock the potential in every child with the Boxall Profile® Online.