Emma Lacey, Coach for Children, Young People and The Adults Around Them

22/09/2026

Look for the glimmers 😍

20/09/2026

What a beautiful day 💕

To be outside all day really is such a blessing

18/09/2026

These texts from parent's mean so much to me 😍

Thank you to all my dear clients for our amazing team work.

Love Emma Xx

17/09/2026

I wasn't sure whether to post on this tragedy but it has affected me so deeply I feel compelled to do so. Like so many people across the country, I cried for Noah and his family last night.

I also feel it is important to acknowledge that this is going to feel especially heavy for those who can relate as SEN parents, carers and professionals. Let’s breathe into these big feelings, be gentle with ourselves and process them as best we can.

The news about three-year-old Noah Woods is utterly heartbreaking. There are several speculative stories, but the facts as I have researched them are, Noah was non-verbal, partially deaf and undergoing an assessment for autism. He disappeared after becoming separated from a relative at a playground. Following an extensive search, a child’s body was recovered from a nearby pond.

My thoughts are with Noah's parents and everyone who loved him, but especially so for the relative who was caring for him. I cannot begin to imagine the pain they must now be carrying.

I have written hundreds of risk assessments during my career. We can plan carefully and put safety measures in place, but a child can run in a matter of seconds.

“Elopement” or “wandering” describes a child unexpectedly leaving a safe place or adult supervision. An autistic child may be escaping noise or overwhelm, moving towards a favourite place or strong interest, seeking a sensory experience, such as water, exploring without understanding the danger or acting on an immediate impulse.

Every child is different, and we do not know what led Noah to run.

This is not a time for blame or judgement. It is a time for compassion.

Maybe this tragedy will bring greater understanding of the challenges many families are managing daily.

I know the incredible SEN community will surround Noah’s family, and especially the relative who was with him, with understanding, care and support. May our love reach them at such a dark, tragic time.

Rest peacefully, little Noah. You and your family are in the hearts of an entire community.

16/09/2026

The best coaching sessions don’t always look like a conversation.

This week, during my coaching sessions, I have played golf on the PlayStation, told elaborate stories from picture cards and dice, played cards and a favoured memory game-a lot!

These activities are not distractions from the work. They are often what makes the work possible.

At the beginning of a session, playing together can help a young person regulate, connect with me and settle into being together. It removes the immediate pressure to talk.

Conversation can then develop naturally through the activity, creating opportunities to explore feelings, relationships and challenges while building communication, confidence, emotional regulation and resilience.

At the end of a session, returning to a game can give a young person an opportunity to let off steam and leave feeling calmer after the emotional work we have done together.

When coaching is flexible, creative and led by the young person’s needs and interests, we can often achieve far more than we would through questions alone.

Emma Xx

15/09/2026

14/09/2026

A young person may desperately want an education while currently finding a full school day emotionally unmanageable.

A carefully planned reduced timetable can provide the breathing space needed to rebuild trust, confidence and engagement.

It should have a clear purpose, appropriate support and regular review. It isn’t about giving up on a young person or lowering everybody’s expectations.

Sometimes we need to reduce the immediate pressure so they can begin moving towards their longer term goals.

The ambition remains. We change how we support them to reach it.

13/09/2026

“Success shouldn’t be measured by how many hours a young person spends in school, but by how emotionally safe they feel while they’re there.”

I said this during a recent school meeting, and I was really pleased to hear that everyone was on the same page.

When a young person is struggling to attend school, it can be tempting to focus on how quickly we can increase their hours.

But if they don’t feel safe, simply getting them through the door isn’t success.

Success might begin with building trust with one adult, knowing where they can go when things feel too much, attending one lesson they enjoy or feeling listened to rather than pressured.

Once emotional safety, trust and connection are in place, we have something solid to build upon.

I support young people, parents and schools when attending school feels difficult. I currently have some availability for young people aged 5 to 25, so please message me if you would like to discuss support.

12/09/2026

Taking on new clients!
Email:[email protected]

08/09/2026

Positive mindset isn’t about pretending everything is positive. It’s about reframing the same situation in a way that helps us feel good.

It’s absolutely pouring today and I’m driving all over the county seeing clients. Some drivers seem to be stressed and driving manically.

Me, on the other hand;

Thinking of Nana always saying when I was a kid; "Better to be late in this world than early in the next!". Love.
New coat on. Love.
The land and nature need the rain. Love.
Pausing with clients to look out at the rain together, taking away the pressure of eye contact can create space for so much more conversation. Love.
No pressure to go out tonight. Love.
Snuggling up with a blanket and a good book later. Love.

Same day. Same rain. Different frame.

How is your mind doing?
Give yourself a moment to breathe.
It's OK.