Managing behaviour in schools Jez Brigham Deputy Head Teacher Witherslack Group

What is Challenging Behaviour? Challenging behaviour is any form of behaviour that interferes with children's learning or normal development; is harmful to the child, other children or adults; or puts a child in a high risk category for later social problems or school failure.

Understanding the Behaviour What has happened? Where / who has it come from,? Why is it happening now? Before we can start to manage the behaviour we need to find out and understand what drives the behaviour?

WHY do children manifest challenging behaviour? Escape from demands Sensory or stimulation factors For attention or interaction Neglect, Emotional, Physical, Sexual abuse.

When do we have to manage challenging behaviour? ALL THE TIME

Managing your responses to challenging behaviour Understanding your triggers Managing your emotional response Asking for support when you need it Taking time out when you need it Using de-escalation rather than escalation techniques

UNISON Survey 2016 Revealed major concerns about behaviour in schools Highlighted a growing health and well-being crisis affecting schools, which UNISON believe could result in an exodus of hardworking and dedicated staff Cuts to staffing have a direct impact on behaviour

The experience of school support staff Support staff workers in schools say they have experienced the following high levels of abuse in the course of their work in the past year: • One in five (20%) have experienced physical violence at school, while over a third (34%) have witnessed it • A fifth (20%) have experienced (and 30% have witnessed) verbal threats at school • More than a fifth (27%) have suffered (and 32% have witnessed) other verbal abuse at school • Almost one in seven (15%) have experienced (and 28% have witnessed) bullying at school

What can you do? Insist on adequate training Develop inclusive ways of working with young people Ask for opportunity to debrief following an incident Get support from line manager Look for opportunities to share knowledge/ expertise on individual pupils or whole class groups Work as a multi-disciplinary team

Managing challenging behaviour in a classroom setting is a problem faced by all Teaching Assistants/Teachers. One of the key factors in behaviour management is understanding why challenging behaviour occurs.