“When is education not enough?”

A review of challenging behaviour

Special schools conference 9th May 2013

John hunter

“Special schools are constantly and currently seeking help and support to address the needs of a very small

minority of pupils who present with significantly challenging behaviours which mask a litany of

aggression, self harm and high anxiety”.

BACKGROUND

METHOD

EMERGING FINDINGS

POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS

CHALLENGING BEHAVIOURS

BACKGROUND

“John will scratch, pull hair and head butt others. He will generally target females, however, when agitated he will attack anyone in his reach including peers. He will also display self injurious behaviour, banging his head with extreme force against desks, windows etc. When stressed he can become verbally aggressive , shout in a high pitched tone repeating a demand over and over.”

METHODOLOGY

Three phases

– Mapping out the extent of the problem

– Structured discussion with principals

– fieldwork

“Mental illness seriously impacts on John’s quality of life”

Mapping the problem

• Those who challenge 524 • Those who challenge but we

manage 104• Those who challenge and we

cannot manage 63

What are schools doing well ?

• Presenting a positive disposition• best commodity is staff• programme framework

– Levels of support – Hierarchy of need

• training and strategic planning • auditing need - Assessment framework?• recognition of limitations

Workshop discussion

• what works • Large room /chill out/outdoor

facilities• Staffing • Communication strategy• Multi disciplinary support • Medication • Third level support

Fieldwork

• work to be complete

Emerging Findings • All pupil can behave positively for periods of time

• reducing extreme behaviours is difficult

• most need structure ; skilled staff; practical curriculum; above all multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention

• system to track and respond to need • a consensus about long term needs – transition beyond

school

• appropriate settings- space – suite -

• an agreed overarching strategic action plan

• a range of settings and staffing

Conclusions The case for change is clear... we need to• reduce stress on staff and schools• support teacher and assistants • establish comprehensive assessment of

medical needs• Collaborative accountability• Better outcomes for pupils “a new approach is needed”

Emerging recommendations

To work towards improvement• a multi-disciplinary working group • to pilot new approaches• Invest in training on a M-D basis • create networking platforms• provide co-ordinated clustering • DE/ELBs Trusts /DHSS/ to set out what services are

available• enable a monitoring and research system • inform and brief• Improve the quality of life of the pupils through better

outcomes