Seymour Jacklin: /* Overview */

2025-04-28T04:54:05Z

Overview

Seymour Jacklin: Created page with "At Handcrafted, we are dedicated to supporting our staff and service users in line with our Christian ethos and values. We recognise that maintaining positive behaviour is key to safeguarding young people and creating a safe, nurturing environment. This policy outlines the principles, permitted sanctions, prohibited measures, and use of physical interventions that guide behaviour management at Handcrafted, ensuring staff support young people appropriately and effectivel..."

2025-04-28T04:43:29Z

Created page with "At Handcrafted, we are dedicated to supporting our staff and service users in line with our Christian ethos and values. We recognise that maintaining positive behaviour is key to safeguarding young people and creating a safe, nurturing environment. This policy outlines the principles, permitted sanctions, prohibited measures, and use of physical interventions that guide behaviour management at Handcrafted, ensuring staff support young people appropriately and effectivel..."

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At Handcrafted, we are dedicated to supporting our staff and service users in line with our Christian ethos and values. We recognise that maintaining positive behaviour is key to safeguarding young people and creating a safe, nurturing environment.

This policy outlines the principles, permitted sanctions, prohibited measures, and use of physical interventions that guide behaviour management at Handcrafted, ensuring staff support young people appropriately and effectively.

This policy will be reviewed as required and at least annually by the group or individual responsible for review and authorised by the Trustees as below:

{| class="wikitable"
!Group or individual responsible for review
![[The Safeguarding Steering Group|'''The Safeguarding Steering Group''']]
|-
|'''Last review and approval'''
|16/10/2024
|}

= Overview =

It is unreasonable to expect young people not to misbehave from time to time. Whether it is temper tantrums or direct challenges to a staff member’s authority, there will always be times when staff need to employ the use of control and discipline. Good order is necessary to enable young people to develop in a safe and secure environment.

This policy provides a framework for promoting and managing positive behaviour while protecting young people and staff alike.

Support given to a child must ensure that the child is safeguarded, protected, and that their welfare is paramount. Children in Care may express difficult emotions through behaviour. They also need opportunities to learn positive coping strategies for their future.

= Context =

Children living in care may not respond to discipline in the same way as others due to:

* Experiences leading to low self-esteem
* Accustomedness to punishment
* Difficulty using intrinsic or social rewards
* Difficulty maintaining motivation and relationships

Every young person is different and management strategies need to be individualised and adapted over time.

= Principles =

Guiding principles for staff:

* Focus on an asset-based approach, praising good behaviour
* Adopt a non-confrontational approach
* Establish relationships based on mutual respect
* Establish consistent and explicit house rules
* Appreciate past life experiences
* Use sanctions appropriately and not routinely
* Receive relevant training
* Work within a multi-agency context
* Enable the child to express wishes and feelings

= Promoting Positive Behaviour =

Support workers will:

* Encourage socially acceptable behaviour
* Help young people recognise consequences of behaviour
* Develop positive coping strategies
* Recognise feelings and their impacts
* Build relationships, motivation, and self-worth
* Assist in developing resilience and self-control

= Environment =

Support workers will:

* Be positive role models
* Praise and reward positive behaviour
* Encourage mutual respect
* Ensure all young people feel valued

The team will:

* Regularly review management strategies
* Use a range of approaches
* Balance praise and constructive criticism
* Suggest positive changes positively
* Ensure rewards and sanctions are fair and effective

= Permitted Sanctions =

Understanding trauma is essential. Responses aim to reduce behaviours positively and consistently. Permitted actions include:

* '''Disapproval''': Must be time-limited and non-isolating
* '''Verbal Reprimand''': Without intimidation or threats
* '''Time Out''': As a calming down period

= Prohibited Measures =

The following are strictly prohibited:

* Corporal punishment
* Deprivation of food or drink
* Refusal or restriction of contact
* Requirement to wear distinctive clothing (except school uniform)
* Withholding medication or medical treatment
* Locking in or confinement
* Deprivation of sleep

Staff must use tailored behaviour management. Difficult behaviours (e.g., self-harming, aggression) should be managed primarily by rewarding acceptable behaviour. Support from other agencies is encouraged.

= Positive Handling and Restrictive Physical Interventions =

Staff must exercise their legal "duty of care." Physical intervention may be appropriate to prevent harm.

== Positive Handling (Non-Restrictive) ==

* '''Touching''': Normal parental affection (hug, hand on shoulder), used with caution
* '''Holding''': Brief guidance to divert behaviour (e.g., hand on arm)
* '''Obstructing''': Physically placing oneself to prevent movement (without touch)

Any intervention must be justifiable, appropriate, enhance safety, and consider individual needs. Written records must be made, and social workers informed.

== Restrictive Physical Intervention (Restraint) ==

Handcrafted staff are not trained in restraint. If escalation occurs and danger is present, emergency services must be contacted.

= Behaviour Management Plan =

This plan:

* Sets out known behaviours, triggers, agreed strategies, and recording arrangements
* Must be agreed with young people where possible
* Reviewed regularly
* Informs Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plans

Staff training needs identified in supervision will be addressed appropriately.

= Appendix 1 - Essential Required Good Practice Relating to Physical Intervention =

Physical intervention principles:

* Use dependent on age, competence, and risks
* Guided by risk assessments and behaviour management plans
* Preceded by verbal instructions and attempts to calm
* Never used as a general regime

== Touching ==

* Provide comfort (e.g., hug, arm on shoulder) cautiously
* Avoid touching that could be misinterpreted

== Holding ==

* Hand placed on arm/shoulder or guiding by hand/back
* Used to divert from destructive behaviour
* Explain actions clearly to young people

Staff must cease holding if a young person objects or resists. Concerns should be discussed with a manager or supervising social worker.

= Appendix 2 - Behaviour Management Plan =

All children placed in residential care should have a Behaviour Management Plan addressing:

* Absenting behaviour
* Anxiety or withdrawal
* Bullying
* Challenging behaviour
* Drug or substance misuse
* Lack of personal safety awareness
* Offending behaviour
* Prostitution
* Self-harming behaviour
* Sexually exploitative/inappropriate behaviour
* Violence or aggression

Plans must:

* Summarise behaviours of concern
* Outline staff strategies
* Be incorporated into risk management plans
* Be shared across agencies to ensure consistency

Behaviour Management Plan - Revision history

Seymour Jacklin: /* Overview */