Empowering educators: supporting every child

Every child deserves a chance to thrive

Every year, BBC Children in Need brings together millions across the UK to support children and young people affected by poverty, mental health struggles, neglect, and social inequality.

• Around 4.3 million children are living in poverty in the UK (Department for Work and Pensions, 2024).

• One in six children aged 5–16 are likely to have a mental health problem (NHS Digital, 2023).

At Humly, we believe that every child deserves a safe, supportive space to learn and grow. And that supply educators play a vital role in creating those moments of stability.

This piece is for you: a mix of understanding, reflection, and practical ideas you can use in your classroom today.

Understand: What children might be going through

The children you meet may be facing challenges you can’t always see. From food insecurity to anxiety or difficult home lives. Recognising small signs can change how a child feels in your classroom.

Things to remember:

• A child who seems disengaged might be tired, anxious, or hungry.

• Behaviour that looks defiant could be a call for attention or safety.

• A quiet student may be overwhelmed or fearful.

When you notice these moments, try reframing your instinctive question. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with this child?”, ask “What might this behaviour be telling me?”

For more insight, YoungMinds offers practical advice on recognising early signs of distress in children and young people (youngminds.org.uk).

Act: 5 simple ways to support every child

These small, consistent actions can make a big impact. No matter how short your placement.

1. Start with warmth
   Greet each student as they enter. A genuine smile or hello helps build trust and sets the tone.

2. Name and notice
   Use names early and recognise effort: “I can see how hard you’re working on that.” It builds a sense of belonging and confidence.

3. Create safety in routine
   Briefly explain what will happen in the lesson. Predictability helps children feel secure. Especially those coping with uncertainty outside school.

4. Offer small choices
   Giving pupils control (“Would you like to start with task A or task B?”) can reduce anxiety and increase engagement.

5. Reflect, don’t react
   When faced with challenging behaviour, pause. Respond calmly. A neutral tone and steady body language can defuse tension and build trust.

For further support on trauma-informed classroom strategies, NSPCC Learning provides resources for educators (nspcc.org.uk).

Reflect: For you, the educator

We’re celebrating the everyday heroes who make a difference in classrooms across the UK. You.

Here’s how you can take part:

• Share a story or tip about how you support children’s wellbeing using #HumlySupports and #ChildrenInNeed.

• Talk with your colleagues about small, consistent changes that make a big impact.

• Visit bbcchildreninneed.co.uk to learn more about the charity’s work with children and young people nationwide.

Join the movement

This Children in Need Day, we’re celebrating the everyday heroes who make a difference in children’s lives .  you.

Here’s how you can take part:

• Share a tip or story about how you support children’s wellbeing using #HumlySupports and #ChildrenInNeed

• Talk to your colleagues about small changes that make big impact.

• Visit bbcchildreninneed.co.uk to learn more about how the charity helps children across the UK.

Download your free classroom activity pack

To help you bring the spirit of Children in Need Day into your classroom, we’ve created a free Humly Activity Pack for educators. It includes ready-to-use lesson plans for Nursery, Primary, and Secondary settings. Each designed to spark conversations about kindness, empathy, and community.

Inside you’ll find:

• Storytime and creative activities for younger pupil

• A kindness chain project for primary classes

• Discussion and campaign ideas for secondary students

• Reflection prompts, printable certificates, and teacher notes

Whether you have ten minutes or a full lesson, this resource helps every educator make Children in Need Day meaningful for their pupils. And remind them that small acts can make a big difference.

From Humly

“Our mission has always been to empower educators. On Children in Need Day, we want to remind every educator that you’re part of that support network. The way you listen, encourage, and show up. It matters more than you think.”

Share this page & donate

Help raise awareness and celebrate the educators making a difference every day.

Donate to children in need here.