Behaviour and support

As part of our Behaviour outreach team, we offer a support team of well-qualified and experienced teachers practised in working with behavioural issues in primary and secondary settings. We engage in working with pupils, parents, teachers, school support staff and whole staff teams to improve outcomes for pupils with behavioural difficulties.

Schools may purchase a service level agreement for a comprehensive package of support for the year, or choose to buy in specific aspects of the service as needed. The services offered are:

• Assessment and advice
• CPD and training
• Pupil interventions

For further information contact Sarah Filby, Team Leader Behaviour Support Team.

• Telephone: 01432 260872
• Email: sarah.filby@herefordshire.gov.uk

Refer for behaviour support

• Behaviour support referral form
• Behaviour support team privacy notice

Assessment and advice

Pupil assessments may include:

• Classroom observations
• Individual meetings with pupils
• Liaison with SENCOs, class teachers or other relevant staff
• Meetings with parents or carers

Reports, advice and feedback are given as appropriate.

Ongoing support for pupils may involve a series of intervention sessions, or can be by input to targeted areas.

Support and advice is available for:

• PSP meetings
• Early Help or multi-agency meetings
• Banded funding applications
• Statutory assessment
• Annual reviews
• Brookfield School intervention class referrals

Advice to schools

Key areas include:

• Behaviour policy audit and development
• Rewards and sanctions
• Recording and monitoring behaviour
• Whole school ethos and values
• Breaks and lunchtimes

CPD and training

Training opportunities are available throughout the year as centrally run day courses or twilight sessions. INSET training within schools or other services can be arranged as a bespoke package or by choosing an existing training course to be delivered, tailored to your setting. 

To see training details, dates and to book a place on a course, go to: www.herefordshirecpd.co.uk

Individual (1:1) or group sessions can be offered, usually on a weekly basis. The focus of the sessions will depend on the age and nature of the pupils.

• Anger management
• Social skills
• Self-esteem building
• Anti-bullying strategies
• Anxiety management
• Relaxation techniques
• Solution focused brief therapy
• Behaviour for learning and success
• Social stories
• Pupils at risk of exclusion
• Reintegration
• Mentoring

There are also some specific group sessions which are run with a member of school staff training alongside to enable the school to continue with the work.

Pupil interventions

Peer massage training (MISP)

The peer massage training (MISP) programme has been identified as having positive outcomes in terms of social and emotional aspects of learning and contributes to children's emotional health and well being.

• In MISP children massage each other. The basic routine consists of a series of simple massage strokes, given by children to other children on backs, arms and heads
• The trainer works with a class and teacher for four sessions, and with parents in a twilight session. Once mastered, the entire routine takes no more than 10 minutes, and becomes second nature to the children

Walk Tall confidence boosting sessions

Kidscape' based activity sessions for children from Y5, 6 or 7 with low self-esteem or who are socially vulnerable. The sessions will provide pupils with:

• Help in developing self-confidence
• Practice in positive interactions
• Strategies for dealing with peer pressure or bullying

Two hour sessions on two consecutive days are run with groups of pupils. School staff join the group to learn alongside. Resources provided. This could be particularly relevant for pupils approaching or dealing with transitions.

Other group sessions available