BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT

WHAT IS THE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT TEAM?
The Board has responded to the DENI School Improvement document by establishing a Behaviour Support Team (BST). Its aim is to support and advise schools in developing and implementing strategies to promote and sustain positive behaviour. The emphasis will be on supporting staff (both teaching and non-teaching) as well as individual teachers. The BST will liaise with relevant Units within the Board (e.g. Special Education, EPS, EWS and CASS) and appropriate external agencies.

WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT WILL THE BST PROVIDE?
Support will be provided at a number of levels

• general advice on developing whole-school policies and teachers-classroom management skills in relation to behaviour;
  
  
• advice to schools on appropriate behaviour programmes. In certain cases advice will be offered to staff in relation to the management of individual pupils;*
  
  
• immediate advice on action in response to serious incidents.

HOW CAN THE BST BE ACCESSED?
1. Requests for support should he identified in the annual INSET needs procedure. These
requests should reflect the school development plan.

2. Requests for specific teacher/staff support which arise during the school year on issues
related to behaviour should be made by the Principal through the completion of the
appropriate form (BST 1). This should be forwarded to the Team Manager.

3. In emergency situations the principal should contact the BST immediately by telephone for advice. This may necessitate a follow up BST1 form.

* Referrals regarding individual pupils should continue to be made to the appropriate Board sections in line with Code of Practice procedures e.g. Psychology, Outreach Behaviour Support and Education Welfare Service.