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282 <h2>
282 Behaviour Management and Safe Caring
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288 RELATED CHAPTER
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 See also
289 <a href="p_phys_int.html">
289 Restrictive Physical Intervention Procedure
289 </a>
289 .
289 </p>
290 <h3>
290 AMENDMENT
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291 <p>
291 This chapter was reviewed by Bexley in April 2017 to acknowledge additional points of
clarification and guidance throughout.
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293 <div id="sections">
295 <h3 id="sections_list">
295 Contents
295 </h3>
296 <ol>
297 <li>
297 <a href="#encouraging">
297 Encouraging and Rewarding Children
297 </a>
297 </li>
298 <li>
298 <a href="#minimum_house_rules">
298 Minimum House Rules
298 </a>
298 </li>
299 <li>
299 <a href="#sanctions">
299 Sanctions
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#searching">
300 Searching
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 <a href="#serious_incidents">
301 Serious Incidents and use of Physical Intervention
301 </a>
301 </li>
302 </ol>
303 <h3 id="encouraging">
303 1. Encouraging and Rewarding Children
303 </h3>
304 <p>
304 Whilst children bring their own values and behaviours to placements, foster carers and residential
staff play a key role in influencing children.
304 </p>
305 <p>
305 The culture of the home, generated by the carers/staff, is crucial. Foster carers/staff are
expected to understand, manage and deal with young people's behaviour including encouraging
children to take responsibility for their behaviour and help them to learn how to resolve
conflict. A restrictive, unsupportive, discouraging and punishing culture will result in
instability, hostility and possibly severe disruption.
305 </p>
306 <p>
306 All looked after placements should have clear, fair boundaries, where children feel safe,
encouraged and appropriately rewarded, so that they will thrive and do well. Foster carers/staff
who adopt this approach will also experience less instability and disruption.
306 </p>
307 <p>
307 Foster carers/residential staff should at all times endeavour to:
307 </p>
308 <ol>
309 <li>
309 Listen to and empathise with children, respect their thoughts and feelings and take their wishes
into consideration;
309 </li>
310 <li>
310 Look for things that are going well, or any step in the right direction, and appropriately
reward it;
310 </li>
311 <li>
311 Use rewards in a creative and diverse way, specific to children's needs, capabilities and
interests. This may mean that children are rewarded with toys, games, activities or monetary
rewards. But all 'tangible' rewards should be accompanied by use of 'non tangible' encouragement
and support - by carers/staff demonstrating to children that they have done well. Such 'non
tangible' rewards include praising and appearing pleased with the children.
311 <br />
312 <br />
313 Children usually benefit, early on, from rewards which may appear to outweigh that which is
expected. This is normal; over time rewards can be more relevant as children's self esteem and
skills improve.
313 <br />
314 <br />
315 For example:
316 <ul>
317 <li>
317 Children who have few social or life skills and whose self esteem and confidence is low may
require forms of encouragement and reward which are intensive, frequent or even excessive in
order to help/remind them that they are doing well and appreciated;
317 </li>
318 <li>
318 A child who has previously been unable to get up for school may be offered a present or
activity for getting up on time for a few days;
318 </li>
319 <li>
319 However, it should also be borne in mind that some children cannot tolerate praise as it
undermines the low perception they have of themselves. For these children smaller more
specific praise is needed.
319 </li>
320 </ul>
321 </li>
322 </ol>
323 <p>
323 Over time, as children achieve what is expected, such rewards should be reduced or children should
be expected to achieve more for the same or a similar reward.
323 </p>
324 <h3 id="minimum_house_rules">
324 2. Minimum House Rules
324 </h3>
325 <p>
325 All carers/residential staff should have a safe caring policy for their own household. This should
be explained to children, with the reasons for the rules and they should also know that that there
are rules for everyone. They should not feel that they are being treated with less regard than
other members of the household. Ideally these expectations should be known to children before they
are placed.
325 </p>
326 <ol>
327 <li>
327 No smoking;
327 </li>
328 <li>
328 Keep own bedroom clean and tidy;
328 </li>
329 <li>
329 Do not go into any other bedroom;
329 </li>
330 <li>
330 If you have gone out, return home at the time your carer has said;
330 </li>
331 <li>
331 Always be where you say you will;
331 </li>
332 <li>
332 If you want to change your plans when you are out ask permission from your carer first;
332 </li>
333 <li>
333 Do not hurt any member of your foster family or residential staff;
333 </li>
334 <li>
334 Do not hurt any pet of the foster family;
334 </li>
335 <li>
335 Homework must be done;
335 </li>
336 <li>
336 If you have been excluded from school, school work will be done at home;
336 </li>
337 <li>
337 When you use the bathroom or toilet always close the door;
337 </li>
338 <li>
338 If you have any problems try and talk to your carer/residential staff;
338 </li>
339 <li>
339 Try to consider other people's feelings.
339 </li>
340 </ol>
341 <h3 id="sanctions">
341 3. Sanctions
341 </h3>
342 <h4>
342 3.1 Guidance on use of Sanctions
343 </h4>
344 <p>
344 Sanctions can be very effective but, before imposing them, think about it.
344 </p>
345 <p>
345 Most looked after children have come to view themselves, and are viewed, as failures. They have
had their fill of sanctions, usually imposed inconsistently, unfairly or as acts of revenge.
345 </p>
346 <p>
346 Before imposing sanctions, carers/residential staff should do all they can to support and
encourage children to do well. If children do not behave acceptably, strategies should be adopted
that are encouraging and rewarding.
346 </p>
347 <p>
347 Rather than noticing and sanctioning misbehaviour it is always better to notice and reward good
behaviour - or any step in the right direction. For example, it may be more effective to allow a
child to have use of a video or TV at bedtime for getting up on time; rather than taking the TV
away for getting up late. Same deal, different meaning!
347 </p>
348 <p>
348 The former is discouraging and causes resentment; the latter is encouraging, can improve self
esteem and relationships between children and carers.
348 </p>
349 <h5>
349 Be creative, think outside the box!
350 </h5>
351 <p>
351 If children continue to behave in unacceptable ways, they should be reminded about what is
expected and given further encouragement to get it right. If misbehaviour persists or is serious,
effective use of reprimands can act as a disincentive or firm reminder. If this does not work, or
may not, sanctions may be effective.
351 </p>
352 <p>
352 Where sanctions are used they must be reasonable and the minimum necessary to achieve the
objective. Also, there should be a belief that the sanction will have the desired outcome -
increasing the possibility that acceptable behaviour will follow.
352 </p>
353 <p>
353 If sanctions are imposed, carers should apply the following principles:
353 </p>
354 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
355 <li>
355 Sanctions must be the exception, not the rule. A Last Resort;
355 </li>
356 <li>
356 Sanctions must not be imposed as acts of revenge or retaliation;
356 </li>
357 <li>
357 Think before imposing the sanctions; don't apply it in the heat of the moment;
357 </li>
358 <li>
358 Sanctions may only be imposed upon children for persistent or serious misbehaviour where
reminders and reprimands have already failed or are likely to fail;
358 </li>
359 <li>
359 Sanctions should only be used if there is a reasonable chance they will have the desired effect
of making the point and in reducing or preventing further unacceptable behaviour;
359 </li>
360 <li>
360 Before applying any sanction, make sure the child is aware that his/her behaviour is
unacceptable and, if possible, warn him/her that sanctions will be applied if the unacceptable
behaviour continues;
360 </li>
361 <li>
361 It is the certainty not the severity of sanctions that is important;
361 </li>
362 <li>
362 Sanctions should only last as long as they need to and allow the child the opportunity to make a
fresh start as quickly as possible.
362 </li>
363 </ol>
364 <h4>
364 3.2 Non Approved Sanctions
365 </h4>
366 <p>
366 The following sanctions are Non Approved, which means they may never be imposed upon children:
366 </p>
367 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
368 <li>
368 Any form of corporal punishment; i.e. any intentional application of force as punishment,
including slapping, punching, rough handling, stress positions and throwing objects;
368 </li>
369 <li>
369 Any sanction relating to the consumption or deprivation of food or drink;
369 </li>
370 <li>
370 Any restriction on a child's contact with his or her parents, relatives or friends; visits to
the child by his or her parents, relatives or friends; a child's communications with any of the
persons listed below*; or his or her access to any telephone helpline providing counselling or
advice for children. (
370 <span class="bold">
370 NB
370 </span>
370 This does not prevent contact or communication being restricted in exceptional circumstances,
where it is necessary to do so to protect the child or others - see Contact with Parents
Procedure);
370 </li>
371 <li>
371 Any requirement that a child wear distinctive or inappropriate clothes;
371 </li>
372 <li>
372 The use or withholding of medication or medical or dental treatment;
372 </li>
373 <li>
373 The intentional deprivation of sleep;
373 </li>
374 <li>
374 The modification of a child's behaviour through bribery or the use of threats;
374 </li>
375 <li>
375 Any sanction used intentionally or unintentionally which may humiliate a child or could cause
them to be ridiculed;
375 </li>
376 <li>
376 The imposition of any fine or financial penalty, other than a requirement for the payment of a
reasonable sum by way of reparation (
376 <span class="bold">
376 NB
376 </span>
376 The Court may impose fines upon children which staff should encourage and support them to
repay);
376 </li>
377 <li>
377 Any intimate physical examination of a child;
377 </li>
378 <li>
378 The withholding of aids/equipment needed by a disabled child;
378 </li>
379 <li>
379 Any measure which involves a child in the imposition of any measure against any other child; or
the sanction of a group of children for the behaviour of an individual child;
379 </li>
380 <li>
380 Swearing at or the use of foul, demeaning or humiliating language or measures.
380 </li>
381 </ol>
382 <p>
382 *The persons with whom the child may have contact, in relation to c. above, are:
382 </p>
383 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
384 <li>
384 Any officer of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service appointed for the
child;
384 </li>
385 <li>
385 Any social worker for the time being assigned to the child by his or her placing authority;
385 </li>
386 <li>
386 Any person appointed in respect of any requirement of the procedure specified in the
Representations Procedure (Children) Regulations 1991;
386 </li>
387 <li>
387 An Independent Visitor;
387 </li>
388 <li>
388 Any person authorised by the Regulatory Authority e.g. Ofsted;
388 </li>
389 <li>
389 Any person authorised by the local authority in whose area the children's home is situated;
389 </li>
390 <li>
390 Any person authorised by the Secretary of State to conduct an inspection of the children's home
and the children there.
390 </li>
391 </ol>
392 <h4>
392 3.3 Approved Sanctions
393 </h4>
394 <p>
394 The following sanctions may be imposed upon children:
394 </p>
395 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
396 <li>
396 Confiscation or withdrawal of a telephone or mobile phone in order to protect a child or another
person from harm, injury or to protect property from being damaged;
396 </li>
397 <li>
397 Restriction on sending or receiving letters or other correspondence (including the use of
electronic or internet correspondence) in order to protect a child or another person from harm,
injury or to protect property from being damaged;
397 </li>
398 <li>
398 Reparation, involving the child doing something to put right the wrong they have done; e.g.:
repairing damage or returning stolen property;
398 </li>
399 <li>
399 Restitution, involving the child paying for all or part of damage caused or the replacement of
misappropriated monies or goods. No more than two thirds of a child's pocket money may be taken
in these circumstances if the payment is small and withdrawn in a single weekly amount. Larger
amounts may be paid in restitution but must be of a fixed amount with a clear start and end
period. If the damage is serious or the size of payment particularly large then the child's
Social Worker should be informed of the matter;
399 </li>
400 <li>
400 Curtailment of leisure activities, aside from extra-curricular activities, involving a child
being prevented from participating in such activities;
400 </li>
401 <li>
401 Additional chores, involving a child undertaking additional chores over and above those they
would normally be expected to do;
401 </li>
402 <li>
402 Early bedtimes, by up to half an hour or as agreed with the child's Social Worker;
402 </li>
403 <li>
403 Removal of equipment, for example the use of a TV or video/DVD player;
403 </li>
404 <li>
404 Loss of privileges, for example the withdrawal of the privilege of staying up late;
404 </li>
405 <li>
405 Suspension of pocket money for short periods, in these instances the foster carer or residential
worker should put the pocket money in to the savings account.
405 </li>
406 </ol>
407 <h4>
407 3.4 Recording of Sanctions
408 </h4>
409 <p>
409 If a child receives a sanction it should be recorded by the foster carer/residential staff on
their daily recording log.
409 </p>
410 <h3 id="searching">
410 4. Searching
410 </h3>
411 <p>
411 Carers/residential staff are not permitted to conduct body searches, searches of clothing worn by
children or of their bedrooms.
411 </p>
412 <p>
412 Should carers suspect that a child is carrying or has concealed an item which may place the child
or another person at risk, they should try to obtain the item by co-operation/negotiation.
412 </p>
413 <p>
413 If carers/staff suspect that a child is concealing an item which may place themselves or another
person at risk, they must notify the agency and, in an emergency, the Police.
413 </p>
414 <h3 id="serious_incidents">
414 5. Serious Incidents and use of Physical Intervention
414 </h3>
415 <p>
415 In the event of any serious incident (e.g. accident, violence or assault, damage to property),
carers/residential staff should take what actions they deem to be necessary to protect
children/themselves from immediate harm or injury; and then notify the agency immediately.
415 </p>
416 <p>
416 If there is a risk of serious injury/harm, carers/residential staff should not use any form or
Physical Intervention except as a last resort to prevent themselves or others from being injured
or to prevent serious damage to property. If any form of Physical Intervention is used, it must be
the least intrusive necessary to protect the child, carer(s)/residential staff or others.
416 </p>
417 <p>
417 At no time should carer(s) residential staff act unless they are confident of managing the
situation safely, without escalation or further injury.
417 </p>
418 <p>
418 The carers/residential staff should endeavour to deal with as many of the challenges that are
involved in caring for children without recourse to the involvement of the Police, who should only
be involved in two circumstances;
418 </p>
419 <ul>
420 <li>
420 An emergency necessitating their immediate involvement to protect the child or others;
420 </li>
421 <li>
421 Following discussion with the child's social worker and/or relevant senior manager from the
local authority.
421 </li>
422 </ul>
423 <p>
423 If any serious incident occurs or the Police are called, the child's social worker must be
notified without delay and will then notify the relevant senior manager within the local authority
and arrange for a full report to be made of the incident and actions taken. The Regulatory
Authority must also be notified.
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