3.4.2 Behaviour Management Plans

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This procedure applies to every Child in Care or Children with Disabilities (CWD) receiving overnight care away from the home.

It summarises when a Behaviour Management Plan should be drawn up and the key matters which should be contained in such a plan.

The procedures in this Chapter must be read in conjunction with detailed Guidance contained in Positive Relationships and Behaviour Management Procedure.

AMENDMENT

Minor amendments were made in December 2013 for the purpose of specificity.
As part of the placement planning process for every Child in Care, or for Children with a disability receiving Short Term Breaks, consideration should be given to whether it is necessary to draw up a Behaviour Management Plan. For children entering mainstream residential care, such a plan, termed ICMP (Individual Crisis management Plan) must be completed. For Foster Carers, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training is available.

The possible need for a Behaviour Management Plan will be different for each child, depending on the child's background and needs. However, it is expected that any behaviour which gives rise to concern about the following will result in a Behaviour Management Plan:

  1. Absenting behaviour;
  2. Anxiety or withdrawal;
  3. Bullying or other similar behaviours;
  4. Challenging behaviour;
  5. Drug or substance misuse;
  6. Lack of awareness of personal safety;
  7. Offending or offensive behaviour;
  8. Child Sexual Exploitation (see the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures, Child Exploitation Policy;
  9. Self harming behaviour;
  10. Sexually exploitative or inappropriate sexual behaviour;
  11. Violence or aggressive behaviour.

Where appropriate, behaviour Management Plans should be incorporated into children's Placement Plan.

Behaviour Management Plans must summarise the behaviours causing concern and the strategies being adopted by staff/carers to manage the behaviour(s).

Where the same behaviour is exhibited outside the placement, e.g. at school, every effort should be made to ensure staff/carers and other professionals work in partnership, ensuring consistency where appropriate.

Behaviour Management Plans form part of children's Placement Plans, therefore they must be subject to Placement Plan Reviews.