International School of Nanshan Shenzhen

ISNS delivers SEL primarily through its Counselling program and the broader Student Support Team, which provide classroom guidance lessons and individual and small-group counselling for social and emotional needs. The school aligns SEL with the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning, embedding social-emotional development into curriculum planning and classroom practice. Counsellors collaborate with teachers and parents and make referrals to other school support services or external resources when needed.

ISNS operates a Learning Support (Inclusion) policy managed by a Student Support Team that includes a Head of Student Support and Learning Support teachers who work with teachers and parents to identify and plan for student exceptionalities. The school states it cannot accommodate students who require significant, intensive support and that admissions decisions for students with known needs are made case-by-case with review of professional reports. Support covers a range of learning and social–emotional difficulties through individualized plans, MTSS reviews, classroom differentiation and, when appropriate, external assessments or recommendations. ISNS is not a specialist SEN institution.

ISNS runs a published EAL programme: non-native English speakers are assessed at admission (MAP or Cambridge ESOL for Grades 2–10) and minimum proficiency thresholds are set for entry to higher grade levels (for example Grade 9 B1, Grade 10 B2). EAL support is provided mainly in the PYP through collaboration/co‑teaching between EAL and homeroom teachers, and levels of support vary by need. The school notes it can provide basic to moderate EAL support but may not be able to meet intensive EAL or highly specialised language intervention needs; students in Grade 6 and above are expected to function in mainstream classes with limited additional support.

ISNS states it employs a full‑time counsellor for the PYP and a full‑time counsellor for MYP/DP and provides services aimed at social, emotional and academic support. The PYP counselling programme includes classroom guidance lessons plus individual and small‑group counselling for issues such as friendship, anger management and grief. Counsellors consult and collaborate with parents and teachers and refer students to other school support services or community professionals when required.

ISNS publishes a Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct that applies to all faculty, staff, volunteers and others interacting with children and sets expectations about maintaining physical, emotional and sexual boundaries. The policy states the school's commitment to student safety and details responsibilities for appropriate conduct and awareness of vulnerability when working alone with children.