When it comes to managing behaviour in schools and care settings, everyone seems to have a favourite tool. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring what the competition has to offer, and some key differences have stood out in how we approach behaviour management at Behaviour Smart.

 Let’s take a closer look at what some of the big players are doing, and how Behaviour Smart is making its mark!

Michael Balkow is a Lecturer in Social and Community Studies. In this blog Michael reflects on his time in child protection services and children with disabilities teams and the challenges he faced.

A few years ago I ran a small-scale study in a large secondary school where the school used a structured post incident learning in place of detentions. The study confirmed that post-incident learning was more effective than detentions and improved behaviour, an RCT confirmed the results. The staff at the school also agreed that the intervention was effective and some even suggested the whole ethos of the school had become more positive and supportive, but six weeks later the post-incident learning structure was scrapped and detentions were reintroduced.

I never liked dogs; in fact, I was terrified of them as a child. I don’t like them bounding towards me, the dog spitand saliva over my hands and clothes, I don’t like their panting or the way they bark. I am terrified of the barking and the threat implied. I know it is the owners and not the dogs but when you are frightened it is not the dog, not on the leash so much as the fear that closes me down, not fight or flight as freeze that gets me.

The Harsh Reality of Seclusion: A Call for Change

The troubling practice of seclusion, particularly in schools across the UK, raises serious questions about human rights and individual autonomy. A recent report by the BBC has brought this issue to light, highlighting situations where pupils are isolated against their will. In this blog we delve deeper into this matter and understand why seclusion demands urgent attention.

A new report from the BBC which is out today states that Pupil behaviour 'getting worse' at schools in England, say teachers.

Nearly one in five teachers in England has been hit by a pupil this year, a survey commissioned by the BBC says.

One teacher told BBC News behaviour was a "never-ending battle". Another said spitting, swearing and chair-throwing were among the things happening often.

In the realm of human behaviour, we often encounter moments that puzzle us, frustrate us, or even evoke fear. These moments can manifest as challenging behaviours, leaving us grappling with how to respond. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if we looked beyond the surface and delved into the underlying emotions and needs?

Low-level disruption in the classroom is a significant problem in schools due to several reasons. Persistent low-level disruptive behaviour can lead to a frequent loss of learning time, estimated to cost individual students up to 38 days of learning per year. This loss of learning time can negatively affect students’ academic performance, which in turn can damage their life chances.

Would be reasonable to rugby tackle a small child down to the floor? You may think not but if the child is in the middle of a road and is just about to get run over by a bus, then maybe rugby tackling them down to the floor would be a reasonable thing to do. Of course, if a child was tapping a pen on a table or staring at you then rugby tackling him down to the floor would almost certainly not be reasonable, so where do we draw the line? How do know when physical intervention is needed, and how do we work out if what we are doing is proportionate and necessary? 

How does Behaviour Smart improve Behaviour?

Children may exhibit challenging or disruptive behaviour in school for various reasons. It's important to note that each child is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all explanation for behaviour issues.

Revolutionizing School Culture: Unleashing the Potential of Behaviour Smart in Recording Behaviour Incidents

In the dynamic realm of education, fostering a positive and productive learning environment is a shared goal that transcends borders. In the United Kingdom, where the educational landscape continues to evolve, one innovation has emerged as a trailblazer in this pursuit: Behaviour Smart. This cutting-edge incident recording system is not only transforming how Behaviour incidents are managed but also revolutionizing the creation of highly effective Behaviour plans that meet regulatory requirements. Behaviour Smart is more than just a step forward – it's a leap towards a brighter educational future.

The Six Core Strategies form the foundations of Behaviour Smart which were developed in the United States by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Medical Directors Council (NASMHPD). The approach is also used in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Finland.

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping societies and preparing future generations for success. Among the various education systems worldwide, the UK and Finland have gained international recognition for their unique approaches. But which is education system is the best?

In a world driven by technology and innovation, it's easy to overlook the importance of emotional intelligence (EI) in our personal and professional lives. However, EI is an invaluable skill that can enhance our understanding of ourselves and others, strengthen relationships, and contribute to overall success and well-being. In this blog, we will explore the concept of emotional intelligence, its components, and how we can cultivate it to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Social media can be such a useful tool to remain connected to other people and it can also be quite enlightening and educational at times. There are many people raising awareness on social media platforms of living with conditions, disabilities and mental health issues. It is great we can use these platforms to raise an awareness of conditions, to promote inclusion, diversity and come more aware of other people’s unique experiences. But can there be a down side to this?

As a behaviour consultant I am often asked for behaviour management ideas, so here are my top 10 behaviour management tips for staff working with children and young people:

Just before you all went off for Easter half term, the government published its research report into the working lives of teachers and school leaders (Department of Education, 2023). It will come as no shock to you what was reported.

Behaviour Smart introduces a system that reshapes incident management, focusing on all behaviour levels—high, medium, and low. By examining low-level cues, staff can spot early signs of distress and intervene more effectively. This detailed approach promotes understanding of not just what happened, but why, aiding future management. The system's interactive design, including tooltips with response suggestions, supports continuous professional development. Automatic updates to individual Behaviour Plans ensure a cohesive strategy, enhancing incident response and fostering ongoing learning.

Most schools and children's home recognise the importance of good incident recording and reporting, but what is the point? We asked 100s of staff why they think recording incidents is important and we were very surprised at the answers we got. The answers range from "Because we have too" to "In case there is an allegation". Whilst both these answers are true we got the feeling that people were somewhat missing the point.

Teachers have to adapt to a world where they recognise that they need children and not the other way around.

Should this be the end for schooling? Certainly it will never be the same again; and here I suggest that the system of disciplining the child cannot be the same again.