ALWA Behaviour Management Policy

The ALWA Play scheme uses effective behaviour management strategies to promote the welfare and enjoyment of children attending the play scheme. Working in partnership with parents, we aim to manage behaviour using clear, consistent and positive strategies.

Whilst at ALWA Play Scheme we expect children to:

·     Respect one another, accepting differences of race, gender, ability, age and religion

·     Develop their independence

·     Choose and participate in a variety of activities on offer to them

·     Enjoy their time at the play scheme

Encouraging positive behaviour

At the ALWA Play scheme positive behaviour is encouraged by:

·     Staff acting as positive role models

·     Praising appropriate behaviour

·     Sticker rewards (where applicable)

·     Informing parents about individual achievements

·     Offering a variety of play opportunities to meet the needs of children attending the play scheme.

It is inevitable that as children develop and learn, there are times when they may need support and guidance to understand certain behaviours. Staff at ALWA will try to determine the cause or triggers of the behaviour if not known or specified by parent/carer to prevent the situation from recurring.

Dealing with challenging behaviour

·     Before all children attend the ALWA Play Scheme, parents will have previously informed us * of any challenging behaviour or triggers their child may have and the strategies used to help prevent or manage that behaviour. (*on the Child Application Form)

·     Challenging behaviour will be addressed in a calm, firm and positive manner with child.

·     Staff will encourage and facilitate mediation between children to try to resolve conflicts through discussion and negotiation (where applicable).

·     If the behaviour appears to be as a result of boredom, staff will find activities that will more fully engage them.

·     Staff will consult with parents to formulate clear strategies for dealing with the behaviour should it persist or increase in occurrence or duration.

·     We will never threaten any punishment that could adversely affect a child’s well-being (eg withdrawal of food or drink).

If after consultation with parents and the implementation of behaviour management strategies, a child continues to display challenging behaviour, the play scheme may need to discuss with parents what the next best course for action is. If possible another provision could be offered if deemed necessary.

Physical intervention

Physical intervention will only be used as a last resort, when staff believe that action is necessary to prevent injury to the child or others, or to prevent significant damage to equipment or property. This will only be done by staff who have been specifically trained in how to do this appropriately and safely.

If a member of staff must physically restrain a child, Play Scheme manager (Tee Richards) will be notified and an Incident record will be completed. The incident will be discussed with the parent or carer as soon as possible. If staff are not confident about their ability to contain a situation, they should call the manager or, in extreme cases, the police. All serious incidents will be recorded on an Incident record and kept in the child’s file. This may be used to build a pattern of behaviour, which may indicate an underlying cause. If a pattern of incidents indicates possible abuse, we will implement child protection procedures in accordance with our Safeguarding policy.

Corporal punishment

Corporal punishment or the threat of corporal punishment will never be used at the ALWA Play scheme.

We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that no child who attends our play scheme receives corporal punishment from any person who cares for or is in regular contact with the child, or from any other person on our premises