Positive Behaviour Support

What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?

At Tettenhall Wood School, we firmly believe in the potential of every child and young person. That’s why our staff are specially trained in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), a comprehensive approach to understanding and nurturing positive behavior.

Our Commitment to PBS:
With nine designated PBS Coaches on our team, Tettenhall Wood School is dedicated to delivering school-wide professional development sessions. Our coaches support staff in effectively implementing personalized plans tailored to individual student needs.

Understanding PBS:
PBS is more than just a methodology; it’s a framework that guides us in understanding behavior at a deeper level. Our goal is to support every pupil in reaching their fullest potential and leading a happy, fulfilled life.

The Aims of PBS:
The overarching aim of PBS is to enhance the quality of a student’s life, as well as positively impact those around them. But how do we achieve this? PBS focuses on identifying specific areas where a pupil may require further support, such as:

  1. Sensory Regulation Strategies: Ensuring that sensory needs are met and that students are ready to learn.
  2. Environmental Adaptations: Making necessary adjustments to aspects like lighting and noise to create a more conducive learning environment.
  3. Community Engagement Activities: Promoting activities that foster engagement within the community.
  4. Personalized Curriculum: Tailoring the curriculum to promote individual engagement in learning, recognizing that each student’s needs and interests are unique.

A Holistic Approach

Positive Behaviour Support at Tettenhall Wood School is not just a set of strategies; it’s a holistic approach that permeates our educational philosophy. Through PBS, we strive to create a supportive, engaging, and inclusive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

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How do Tettenhall Wood School Use Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): A Fusion of Values and Science

At its core, PBS is a synergy of person-centered values and behavioral science. It’s not about arbitrary judgments or assumptions; rather, PBS leverages evidence to guide decision-making, ensuring an approach that’s both compassionate and empirically sound.

Functional Assessment: Understanding Behavior

A pivotal part of the PBS process at Tettenhall Wood School is the functional assessment. This essential step delves into the why of challenging behavior, examining how it has been learned and continues to be maintained.

Conducted by a trained member of the TWS Pastoral team, with collaboration from the wider team and family, a functional assessment gives us a nuanced understanding of the reasons behind the concerning behavior. It’s not merely about identifying the behavior; it’s about comprehending its root causes and triggers.

What Does a Functional Assessment Include?

A functional assessment is not a surface-level observation. It’s a detailed examination that may explore specific aspects of the behavior, such as:

  • Antecedents: What happens immediately before the behavior occurs? Identifying triggers can help in preventing or mitigating the behavior.
  • Consequences: What happens directly after the behavior occurs? Understanding consequences can aid in shaping more positive outcomes.
  • Location and Timing: Where and when does the behavior occur? Pinpointing these factors can assist in developing targeted interventions.
  • Exceptions: When and with whom does the behavior NOT occur? Recognizing these exceptions can provide insights into positive influences and support systems.

A Thoughtful Approach to Support

PBS at Tettenhall Wood School isn’t about quick fixes or shallow judgments. It’s a deeply reflective and tailored process aimed at truly understanding the unique complexities of each child’s behavior. Through functional assessments, we develop insights and strategies that aren’t just about managing challenging behavior but nurturing growth, understanding, and lasting positive change.

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Assessment

PBS is a blend of person centred values and behavioural science and uses evidence to inform decision-making.

One core part of assessment in PBS is to understand why the behaviour that challenges happens – how the behaviour has been learned and how it is maintained. This process is called functional assessment. A functional assessment is completed by a trained member of staff (TWS Pastoral team) with input from the wider team working with the pupil and the family. A functional assessment allows us to have a better understanding of the reasons for the behaviour of concern.

 

  • A functional assessment may look at specific aspects of the behaviour such as
  • What happens immediately before the behaviour occurs
  • What happens directly after the behaviour occurs
  • Where does the behaviour occur
  • When does the behaviour occur
  • When and with whom does the behaviour NOT occur

Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBS Plans)

Following a comprehensive assessment of the pupils’ needs and their environment, a PBS plan may be developed. The PBS plan aims to summarise the factors that may be contributing to the challenging behaviour and aims to support the pupil to make positive changes within their life.

The PBS plan will include strategies to improve quality of life as well as reducing incidents of challenging behaviour. The plan will provide information to staff working with the pupil on how to support them if the behaviours do occur including preventative, proactive and reactive strategies. Steps are taken to ensure that the least restrictive practice is used at all times. The plan aims to decrease the frequency of behaviours of concern and support the pupil to learn more appropriate ways to get their needs met.

 

The plan is written in collaboration with the pupil when appropriate, the family and the people working closely with the pupil. This will be supported by evidence and advice from other multi-disciplinary professionals supporting the pupil (such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapist, and paediatricians). PBS is most effective when all the relevant people are involved in the process.

If we feel that your child would benefit from a PBS plan, a pastoral team member will be in touch to discuss the process. If you would like to find out more about PBS, you can visit www.bild.org.uk  or contact Bethan Catton (Behaviour & Attitudes Lead) at bcatton@aatrust.co.uk 

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