Being the change we want to see
When a child or young person presents with challenging behaviour, the first thing we can change is ourselves and how we respond, which can make all the difference to the outcome. This is especially true if they are at risk of being excluded. Their behaviour is so often a communication about their relational and learning needs, and some of the strongest needs in that mix will be for adults capable of genuinely connecting with them, seeing and valuing them beneath the behaviour, and working to meet them in the most helpful way we can.
And it is 'we' - we are all accountable for how we respond and for the environment in which children and young people who have experienced trauma and loss struggle to find a footing.
Our webinar speakers, both highly experienced lead practitioners from Virtual schools (Hampshire and Cumberland), have given this issue serious thought, and used the AFIT needs analysis software to support themselves and their teams to develop their capacity to be the 'Adults who ...' with heartening outcomes for the children and young people they work with.
