Unit 27 Dealing with Challenging Behaviour Introduction

Unit Aims Explores causes and types of challenging behaviour. Understanding ‘triggers’ Understanding the different ways of dealing with challenging behaviour. Exploring the legislation and guidance in relation to challenging behaviour. Explain this. In more detail.

Unit Objectives To know the potential causes and effects of challenging behaviour. Understand legislation and guidance concerned with challenging behaviour. Be able to contribute to the development of a strategy for dealing with challenging behaviour. Aim of the unit is for you to gain a knowledge of challenging behaviour and an understanding of the associated legislation and guidance. You will also need to consider how to deal with challenging behaviour if you were working in the sector. Explain the unit objectives what they will be learning with.

Unit 27 P1/M1 Create a poster for display on the notice board in your workplace that describes the types and possible causes of challenging behaviour in service users within a Health and Social Care setting. Your poster should clearly reflect the types of challenging behaviour and possible causes Explain whole assignment – on the wiki

M1 Using a case example from practice to illustrate your answer, present a short report which discusses the characteristics of one type of challenging behaviour. To achieve the M1 grade you should choose one service user who you have experience of working with and who presents challenging behaviour within the workplace. You should discuss, in your example, the specific characteristics of the challenging behaviour that they present and any possible causes.

Confidentiality Make sure details that could directly or indirectly identify a service user, staff member or organisation are changed. Be aware that if you don’t mention any names it doesn’t mean that the person can’t be identified Small group task – come up with a definition of challenging behaviour Feedback to whole group. Come up with a group definition of challenging behaviour. Give Emmerson’s definition

Individually complete this sentence: I believe challenging or disruptive behaviour to be ……………….. Then with the person next to you come up with a sentence or a group of words that describe challenging behaviour to you ……… Individual exercise Then small group exercise Feedback to the group/white board Pick out specific words

What is Challenging Behaviour? “Culturally abnormal behaviour(s) of such an intensity, frequency or duration that the physical safety of the person or others is likely to be placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour which is likely to seriously limit use of, or result in the person being denied access to, ordinary community facilities.” Emerson,(1 995, 2001,):

Behaviours that people find challenging can: Put a person’s safety at risk Disrupt people’s home life Stop a person taking part in ordinary social, educational and leisure activities Affect a person’s development and their ability to learn

Previous terms Previously used terms included ‘behavioural disturbance’, ‘problem behaviour’, ‘maladaptive behaviour’, ‘aberrant behaviour’ and ‘behavioural abnormalities’ An important thought is that instead of responding to the person we typically react to the behaviour that they are presenting

“Behaviour can be described as challenging when it is of such an intensity, frequency or duration as to threaten the quality of life and/or the physical safety of the individual or others and is likely to lead to responses that are restrictive, aversive or result in exclusion” Royal College of Psychiatrists Report (2007) [online] accessed 02.11.11 Challenging behaviour is socially constructed and is a product of an interaction between the individual and their environment. Assessment and intervention must therefore address the person, the environment and the interaction between the two

But …….. ‘Difficult behaviours are messages which can tell us important things about a person and the quality of his or her life’ Pitonyak (2007), Royal College of Psychiatrists College Report, Ask the group to discuss people from their work practice who have behaviours which challenge. What are they? Discuss

Case Study information Individually read the case study information you have been provided with. In small groups complete the grid provided and identify: What type of challenging behaviour is the person displaying? What could be a possible cause or trigger for the challenging behaviour? What, if any, do you think the responses have been from people supporting the person to their challenging behaviour. What do you think the consequences of the behaviour are to the individual?

Tony Osgood, the Tizard Centre. Give out handout – students to read and feedback feelings and findings to the whole group.

Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Psychological Society and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists