Engaging with Challenging Behaviour in Schools: A Comprehensive Guide

Challenging behaviour in schools can be a complex and demanding issue for educators. It can disrupt learning, create a negative atmosphere, and place significant stress on staff and students alike. However, it is important to remember that challenging behaviour is often a symptom of underlying needs or difficulties, and that with the right approach, it can be effectively managed and addressed.

"Miss, I don’t give a sh*t": Engaging with challenging behaviour in schools (Corwin Ltd)

by Adele Bates

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5410 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	184 pages

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This article provides a comprehensive overview of engaging with challenging behaviour in schools. We will explore the concept of challenging behaviour, its causes, and the strategies that can be used to address it effectively. We will also discuss the resources available to support educators in this area.

Defining Challenging Behaviour

Challenging behaviour is any behaviour that is disruptive or harmful to the learning environment. It can include a wide range of behaviours, such as:

• Physical aggression (e.g., hitting, kicking, biting)
• Verbal aggression (e.g., shouting, swearing, name-calling)
• Property damage (e.g., breaking windows, tearing up books)
• Disruptive behaviour (e.g., running around the classroom, talking out of turn)
• Withdrawn behaviour (e.g., refusing to participate in activities, avoiding eye contact)

Challenging behaviour can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Underlying special educational needs
• Mental health difficulties
• Sensory processing difficulties
• Social and emotional difficulties
• Environmental factors (e.g., noise, overcrowding, lack of structure)

Strategies for Engaging with Challenging Behaviour

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to engaging with challenging behaviour. However, there are a number of strategies that can be effective in addressing this issue. These include:

• Building relationships: It is essential to build strong relationships with students who exhibit challenging behaviour. This means getting to know them as individuals, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and creating a safe and supportive environment where they feel valued and respected.
• Understanding the underlying causes: It is important to understand the underlying causes of challenging behaviour in order to develop effective strategies for addressing it. This may involve working with other professionals, such as educational psychologists or speech and language therapists, to assess the student's needs and identify appropriate interventions.
• Setting clear expectations: Students need to know what is expected of them in terms of behaviour. This means setting clear rules and boundaries, and ensuring that they are consistently enforced.
• Using positive behaviour support: Positive behaviour support is a proactive approach to behaviour management that focuses on rewarding positive behaviour and preventing problem behaviour from occurring. This can involve a variety of strategies, such as setting up a token economy, providing social reinforcement, and teaching students how to self-regulate their behaviour.
• Working with parents and carers: It is important to work closely with parents and carers when addressing challenging behaviour. This means sharing information about the student's behaviour, developing strategies for supporting them at home, and seeking their support in implementing behaviour plans.

Resources for Educators

There are a number of resources available to support educators in engaging with challenging behaviour. These include:

• The National Autistic Society provides a range of resources on autism and challenging behaviour, including a free online course for educators.
• The Challenging Behaviour Foundation offers a range of resources on challenging behaviour, including a free online toolkit for educators.
• The Mencap provides a range of resources on learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, including a free online guide for educators.
• The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance on the management of challenging behaviour in children and young people, including a free online toolkit for educators.

Challenging behaviour in schools can be a complex and demanding issue, but it is important to remember that it can be effectively managed and addressed with the right approach. By building relationships, understanding the underlying causes, setting clear expectations, using positive behaviour support, and working with parents and carers, educators can create a supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.

"Miss, I don’t give a sh*t": Engaging with challenging behaviour in schools (Corwin Ltd)

by Adele Bates

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5410 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	184 pages

FREE