Hamish & Milo Compass Emotional Literacy Indicator

Identify a child’s social and emotional strengths, areas of need and the Hamish & Milo programme themes that may provide the most appropriate support.

Compass provides a structured overview of a child’s social and emotional development, highlighting existing strengths and areas where further support may be beneficial.

Its scoring system helps practitioners identify areas of greater need and signposts towards the Hamish & Milo emotion themes that may provide the most appropriate starting point for intervention.

Compass is designed to support, not replace, professional judgement. Knowledge of the child, their individual context, reasons for referral and presenting needs should always inform programme selection. Where the appropriate intervention is already clear, practitioners may choose to move directly to the relevant emotion theme and Child Wellbeing Profile.

Compass Emotional Literacy Indicator

Hamish & Milo Emotional Literacy Pathway

The EYFS framework recognises that children’s personal, social and emotional development (PSED) is fundamental to their development and is shaped through strong, warm and supportive relationships with adults.

The Hamish & Milo Emotional Literacy Pathway reflects how social and emotional skills develop progressively through relational experiences. Within Hamish & Milo Foundation, the PSED focus areas of Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Managing Self and Building Relationships support children to understand feelings, regulate emotions and behaviour, develop confidence and independence, and build positive relationships with adults and peers. Together, these interconnected skills help children build their Rainbow of Resilience.

Emotional Literacy Pathway - Hamish & Milo

How to use Compass Emotional Literacy Indicator

  • Complete Compass by rating each indicator from 1 to 5 according to the child’s current capability, with 1 indicating skills that are still developing and 5 indicating more established skills.
  • Compass will calculate the score for each section. When using a printed version, use the scoring grid on page 4. Lower scores indicate areas of greater need and suggest Hamish & Milo emotion themes that may provide an appropriate starting point.
  • Select a programme based on the child’s context and what you know about them, alongside indicator scores that suggest lower capability and an opportunity for intervention.

Compass FAQs

What is the Hamish & Milo Compass Emotional Literacy Indicator?

Compass is a structured tool that helps practitioners build an overview of a child’s social and emotional strengths and areas of need The indicator scores also provide an signpost towards the Hamish & Milo emotion themes that may provide an appropriate starting point for support or intervention.

Do I need to use Compass before starting a Hamish & Milo programme?

Not necessarily. Compass supports, rather than replaces, professional judgement. If a child’s presenting needs and the appropriate Hamish & Milo emotion theme are already clear, practitioners may choose to move directly to the relevant programme and Child Wellbeing Profile.

How does Compass help me choose the right Hamish & Milo programme?

Compass considers key cross the Hamish & Milo Emotional Literacy Pathway. Lower scores highlight areas where a child may need greater support and suggest relevant Hamish & Milo emotion themes and resources, helping practitioners make an informed intervention choice alongside their knowledge of the child and their individual context.

Is Compass an emotional literacy or SEMH assessment?

Compass is an Emotional Literacy Indicator rather than a diagnostic tool or standardised assessment. It provides a structured overview to support professional judgement, intervention planning and the identification of areas where a child may benefit from further social and emotional support.

If you require any assistance, please email hello@hamishandmilo.org

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