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17. The home's approach to behavioural support including
restraint.
Prior's Court School has a range of strategies to support young people in learning
to self-manage behaviour. All behaviour is seen as a form of communication and
is managed in a positive way, teaching young people to substitute challenging
behaviour with more appropriate behaviour and communication, and rewarding
good behaviour by praise and the use of positive motivators. We do not use
punitive methods to maintain behaviour.
Each young person has a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Plan within their This
is Me Plan which includes proactive and reactive strategies to support them in
learning to self-manage behaviour and ensures a consistent approach is
employed throughout the Waking Day. It is reviewed regularly by the Positive
Behaviour Support team, Home Manager, Keyworker, Class Teacher, Therapists
and other professionals within Prior's Court School. Strategies are carefully
considered by all staff concerned, often in consultation with parents.
A key element in supporting behaviour is the use of the TEACCH system of
structured teaching in the organisation of the day and the layout of classroom
and living spaces. Regular exercise and the use of areas of space within Prior's
Court School campus are also part of the strategies to reduce anxieties and learn
to self-calm.
We do not use sanctions, however if there are concerns that a young person's
behaviour might be deemed a sufficient risk that they should not attend an
activity or outing, this is technically classed as a sanction and is recorded as such.
An alternative and equally enjoyable on-site activity will be offered. On very rare
occasions, it may be necessary to exclude a young person for a short period of
time to ensure the health and safety of all concerned. Our exclusion policy is
available on request.
Use of restraint
All of the young people at Prior's Court are individuals with unique personalities.
They do however share certain common characteristics due to their autism and
may therefore experience considerable difficulties with communication, social
interaction and imagination which sometimes give rise to frustration, confusion
and distress. This in turn can give rise to some inappropriate and occasionally
challenging behaviour.
We use the Team Teach approach to positive behaviour support. This approach
provides us with planned, systematic and graded strategies that are effective, safe
and as least intrusive as possible. We believe the Team Teach approach helps our
young people to learn to make choices and to begin to take control of their
behaviour. All young people at Prior's Court have a Positive Behaviour Support
(PBS) Plan within their This Is Me Plan which will list the proactive and reactive
strategies for behavioural support, as well as listing the most effective Team Teach
physical interventions to use in response to identified behaviours.