BILD's Positive Behaviour Support mission
Around
half of all people with learning disabilities and challenging
behaviour are subject to physical interventions. The right policies
and practice, and high quality training, to increase staff skills
and confidence and reduce injuries, is therefore critical. Much had
been achieved by BILD’s work in this area over the last 10 years
through the BILD Code of Practice and Policy Framework and our
physical interventions accreditation scheme.
However, we felt increasingly that it was time to change direction,
to focus less on physical restraint, more on positive behaviour
support; not how to ‘restrain better’ but how to ‘restrain less’.
This year we set out a new positive behaviour support mission to
challenge the misuse of restrictive practices including the use of
seclusion, time out and mechanical restraint when supporting people
whose
behaviour organisations find challenging.
The Mission statement is
shown below, if you'd like to show your support for this approach,
please do sign up using the 'signup' email address shown.
In the last six months BILD has launched two major new publications: 'Ethical Approaches
to Physical Interventions, Volume II: Changing the Agenda' edited by Professor David Allen
and the Third Edition of the 'BILD Code of Practice for the use and
reduction of restrictive physical intervention' which sees a major
revision of this key publication. We have convened a
Positive Behaviour Support Research Group to begin work on exploring
and defining the research and evidence base for practice in this
area and the work of this group will build over time.
At our International Research and Practice conference in Dublin in
early May we awarded the inaugural BILD Positive Behaviour
Leadership Awards, recognising good practice in the field of positive
behaviour support.
Our development manager for positive behaviour support, Sharon
Paley, can be contacted at
s.paley@bild.org.uk
BILD makes concerns clear to Minister on 'use of force' guidance
for teachers
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities welcomes the
announcement that there will be a review of guidance that covers
measures to tackle behaviour and discipline in schools, including
the Use of Force. Considerable confusion exists for teachers and
others working within schools with regard to matters related to
discipline, their powers to search pupils and the Use of Force. We
also acknowledge that professionals who work within educational
settings often work with a number of pupils who have behaviours
which can be challenging to deal with or present a risk to
themselves or others.
However, it is our strong belief that any review of guidance must
take account of the needs of children and young people, recognising
that those who exhibit behaviours that are challenging may also be
very vulnerable themselves. They may have additional needs that
contribute to the behaviours they display within a school
environment, including children with communication difficulties,
specific learning difficulties or autism.
In his announcement to the Houses of Parliament on 7 July, Mr Nick
Gibb MP, stated: “In the next Education Bill, we intend to give
teachers a more general search power covering any item which may
cause disorder or pose a threat to safety.”
Whilst accepting that children are now more likely to bring
inappropriate items into school, BILD believes that the Minister
should give further consideration to how such powers will be
interpreted and used. In reality, such powers may not be welcomed by
most teachers. Currently, we believe that insufficient consideration
has been given to the practical implications of extending the power
of teachers to search pupils. We believe that such an extension
would increase the risks to teachers and pupils and be open to
challenge under Human Rights legislation.
We are further concerned that an apparent ‘strengthening’ of
guidance may give teachers, and others working in schools an
impression that they can use force regardless of the specific
circumstances. This will potentially increase the risk to them of
allegations and prosecution.
Sharon Paley, BILD’s Development Manager for Positive behaviour
Support, stated: “Any ‘right’ to search’ or ‘remove’ a pupil must be
balanced by legal requirements and any individual would still have
to ensure their actions were lawful. There is a real danger that if
any further guidance is not absolutely clear in stating the legal
position for a teacher, then this will actually lead to more
teachers being accused of assault. I speak from first hand
experience of supporting friends and colleagues in stating that this
is not acceptable. In the most part, teachers are honest, decent
people undertaking a very difficult task. It is my understanding, as
an expert witness, that statutory legislation will not excuse
unlawful behaviour.”
In his statement, Mr Nick Gibb MP, also said: “We will issue much
shorter and clearer guidance which explicitly states that teachers
can physically remove disruptive children from class and prevent
them from leaving a room in situations where this is necessary to
maintain order.”
If new guidance is to be helpful it should more clearly define terms
like ‘disruptive children’ and clarify what is meant by such terms
as ‘maintain order’. It would also be helpful if any further
guidance on the use of force could be more succinct whilst
clarifying terminology to make it much easier for professionals
working in schools to interpret.
“In the past, phrases such as ‘significant disruption’ have been
used in guidance to discuss when it may be appropriate to use
physical force. This is unhelpful because it requires a degree of
subjective assessment based on individual experience to assess what
constitutes ‘significant disruption,” said Sharon Paley, “the
Minister states that the revised guidance will be shorter and
clearer. I suggest that the guidance will need a great deal of
consideration if it is to be helpful in preventing yet more teachers
being falsely accused of assault or worse by pupils.
BILD believes that if all children are to ‘achieve to the best of
their ability’ it is also important to create an environment in
which all children feel safe and valued for their contribution.
Maintaining a safe and caring environment is an important aspect of
school life, and any review of the guidance must positively
contribute to such a culture and ethos.”
BILD has written to the Minister asking for clarification on the
specific concerns it has raised, and for such clarification to be
made absolutely clear in the guidance resulting from the Education
Bill.
Australian parliament debates the use of chemical and other
restraints
Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party,
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services)
"I want to draw the attention of the House to the use of chemical
and other restraints on people with an intellectual disability. The
number of young people with an intellectual disability, particularly
autism, being subjected to physical or chemical constraint is far
too high in Australia today. A very useful report by the Victorian
Senior Practitioner, Jeffrey Chan, on behalf of the Victorian
government has highlighted this problem. He reports that in Victoria
there are approximately 2,000 people in care facilities being
restrained on an almost permanent basis. I should put this in the
context that the use of restraint and seclusion is not peculiar to
Victoria; it occurs in all Australian jurisdictions and in
international jurisdictions. Indeed, I would submit that Victoria is
leading the way in monitoring and ensuring that standards are
followed and complied with, particularly within a human rights
framework. Nevertheless, it is true that belts, body suits, solitary
confinement and medication are being used to control behaviour in
Australian facilities.
Dr Chan has urged a rethink about the treatment of 827 very
vulnerable people he found to be living almost permanently under a
heavy dose of drugs and other restraints. Most of these 827 had
multiple disabilities, 35 per cent had autism and most were men aged
between 15 and 44. Whilst restraint might be the right thing to do
from a medical point of view and in some cases a health and safety
point of view, there is no doubt in my mind that it is happening too
often. It is a big thing to physically shackle a person, remove
their independence and personality through medication or put them
into solitary confinement. It should only ever be considered as a
last resort. It should not be a substitute for proper care and
treatment. It should not be a solution which removes the need to
address the causes of a patient’s difficult behaviour. It should
only be done to prevent self-harm or harm to others.
I do not wish to single out Victoria because I believe they are
doing more to monitor this than any other jurisdiction in Australia.
I believe it is a cultural problem which exists across all our
jurisdictions and elsewhere it just has not been reported on with
the thoroughness and openness that has happened in Victoria. I do
know that both New South Wales and Queensland are working on
positive behavioural intervention teams. Kevin Stoner, from the
Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability, has said
that the level of chemical restraint in Victoria is something about
which we should hang our heads in shame. The issue, I am pleased to
say, has been made a priority by the national government. With 2,000
people being restrained in Victoria alone, it is likely that there
are upwards of 8,000 people being restrained as I speak. We are
working with the states and territories on a national mental health
seclusion and restraint project. We want to establish national
standards and find out the extent of this practice across
jurisdictions. We need national collection of data and national
standardised definitions to inform policy and practice."
Dr Jeffrey Chan was a keynote speaker at BILD's recent International
Conference for Research and practice in positive behaviour support
held in Dublin in May.
Report of the First International Conference for Research and
practice in Positive Behaviour Support, convened by BILD
The
first International Research and Practice Conference held in
Malahide, Dublin on 6th and 7th May 2010 marked the 10th annual
behaviour support event hosted by the British Institute of Learning
Disability (BILD). These conferences have in the past focused on
best practice in the use of physical interventions and the drive to
create and further raise standards in training and practice.
This conference offered delegates the opportunity to hear a number
of key speakers, including Gary La'Vigna from Los Angeles (pictured
above) and attend practice based workshops. Delivered over two days
following an established and successful format, it proved to be a
very popular event and great opportunity to hear from acknowledged
experts in the field and to gain a wealth of knowledge, engage in
debate and exchange new ideas over two busy days.
Despite attempts by volcanic ash to disrupt the proceedings, the
event was attended by in over 150 delegates and speakers over the
two days, many using alternative modes of transport to ensure they
could attend the event.
Download
the conference report in Word format.
BILD National Positive Behaviour Support Conference 2011 - call
for workshop papers
A popular event in the
suite of events hosted by BILD, the National Positive Behaviour
Support Conference is planned for 5th and 6th May 2011, to be held
in the East Midlands.
This event will follow the first International Research Event hosted
by BILD in 2010 in Dublin. It is hoped that the 2011 conference will
attract a wide range of professionals and individuals who have an
interest in this field including people with experience of using
services. BILD is keen to encourage presentations from people who
have learning disabilities and experience of using services.
The language of the event will be English
Download the Conference paper
information and application form in
Word or
PDF format.
Latest:
Major boost to the campaign against the use of seclusion
In the United States of America, the House of Representatives has
taken action to protect students with disabilities from abuse by
passing the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
Act (H.R. 4247)
The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act will
put significant restrictions on schools restraining children,
confining them in seclusion rooms, and using aversive interventions
to harm them. A Government Accountability Office study found
hundreds of cases over the last two decades of alleged abuse and
death from restraint and seclusion in public and private schools.
The majority of students in the study were students with
disabilities.
More information about this vote here.
Positive Behaviour Support Information
Behaviour Management Information from
BILD
Books about Positive Behaviour
Support
Training events about Positive Behaviour Support
BILD's Physical Intervention Accreditation
Scheme
Induction workshops
These events are suitable for all organisations who train in the use of physical
intervention, who are considering whether they wish to apply for accreditation
under the BILD Physical interventions Accreditation Scheme.
Information is available for commissioners
of training about the Physical Interventions Accreditation Scheme
in Word or
PDF format.
List of Accredited
Organisations
Physical Intervention - Changing the agenda
BILD's new publication, 'Ethical Approaches
Volume II - Changing the agenda' will be seen as a seminal
publication by many and is a must for any service or professional
working in this field with a genuine interest in improving evidence
practice.
Ethical
Approaches II explores some of the most important and current issues and debates
within the field of behaviour support. Contributions from researchers and
practitioners give this book a focus on both evidence based research and
practice issues. In real terms this is a book people can make use of in their
own practice and use for research and reference.
This volume explores controversial topics such as chemical
restraint, restraint related deaths, mechanical restraint and seclusion, as well
as discussing less controversial subject matters including aspects of training
including exploring issues related to training parents and carers, restraint
reduction and proactive support for people.
Importantly, section 3 of the publication, 'The
Paradigm Shift', takes the publication away from reactive management
and the issues associated with it, allowing the reader to consider
how we might effectively move towards implementing the strategies
that will eventually reduce and eliminate the use of restrictive
practices, inviting the reader to take a more strategic approach to
prioritising our support of people who may challenge our services.
Find out
more or place an order
York '09: BILD sets out a new mission to
challenge restrictive practices
The
9th Positive Behaviour Support conference was hosted by BILD in York
in May 2009. Attracting over 100 delegates the event
focussed on highlighting positive approaches to supporting
individuals who challenge services and reducing the use of
restrictive practices.
Read all about the
conference, speakers and workshops.
BILD's Positive Behaviour Support Mission
It is BILD’s mission to:
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1. |
Make sure that all people with learning
disabilities can exercise their human rights and be valued members
of their local communities. |
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2. |
Focus on vulnerable and disadvantaged
groups including:
- People with complex needs - People from black and minority
ethnic communities - People with autism - Offenders and those in
the judicial system |
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3. |
Work in partnership with families,
carers, friends and the key individuals in people’s lives. |
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4. |
Ensure that people’s individual communication needs
are positively addressed. |
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5. |
Develop and promote an evidence base for
practice. |
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6. |
Develop a framework of good practice
guidance that focuses on positive behaviour support and person-centred
planning. |
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7. |
Identify, disseminate and promote good
practice in reducing the use of restrictive practices and the
implementation of positive behaviour support. |
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8. |
Educate all stakeholders that the use of
restrictive practices is potentially dangerous. |
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9. |
Eliminate the use of unnecessary
restrictive and aversive practice. |
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10. |
Ensure that appropriate training and
learning opportunities are available for all staff and supporters. |
Launched at BILD’s Annual Behaviour Support Conference York, May 2009
You can download this statement
as a Word file, or
as a .pdf file.
If you would like to show your support for BILD's Positive
Behaviour Mission please give us your details at
signup@bild.org.uk - we will
be listing the names of all those signing up on this website. Thank
you.
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BILD's
Behaviour Support publications
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The BILD Code of Practice
Third Edition
Find out more or place an order

Supporting Parents and Carers

Easy Guide to being Held Safely

Ethical approaches to physical
interventions
Volume II. Changing the agenda
Edited by David Allen
The
topic of physical intervention is still hugely important: the abuse of such
interventions features all too regularly in national scandals, and people with
intellectual disabilities and other individuals with complex needs are still
dying in the UK as a result of the use of inappropriate restraint.
Through rigorous analysis of current policies and practices, careful examination
of physical interventions and abusive practices, and clear discussion of
objectives and needs for the future, this new publication offers a major
overview of key developments and current best practice in the field.
2009
ISBN 978 1 905218 11 0
Publication cost: £25
Find
out more or place an order
All these publications, and many
more, can be bought online on this website now -
see full details here.
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