This article describes an action research project, based within a school, to develop and increase the social resiliency of students with special education needs in both school and community settings. The programme included role-plays, scenarios and problem solving. An assessment tool was developed to measure self-esteem amongst the students and this tool became a learning resource for the students. Resources were gathered from similar projects and the health and physical education (PE) curriculum. Outcomes included increases in students' resiliency and were reported by the students themselves, teachers, teacher aides and parents. Reflections from the researchers about students' outcomes and the action research process are included.