Our approach
Bitsi recognises our responsibility to support, understand and manage children's behaviour in an appropriate way. We use positive behaviour support strategies to promote the welfare, enjoyment and safety of all children attending the club.
Working in partnership with parents and carers, we aim to support children through clear, consistent and positive approaches, with adults modelling respectful behaviour. We recognise that children need different types and levels of support. We will adapt our approach to each child while maintaining the safety and enjoyment of everyone attending.
Supporting children at Bitsi
Whilst at Bitsi, we will support children to:
- Behave in ways that help everyone feel safe, respected and included.
- Understand and follow the club rules, which are created and agreed with the children.
- Respect one another and value differences, including race, gender, ability, age and religion.
- Develop independence and learn to manage their emotions and behaviour with appropriate support.
- Choose and participate in a variety of activities.
- Ask for help when needed.
- Enjoy their time at the club.
Encouraging positive behaviour
We encourage positive behaviour through:
- Staff acting as positive role models.
- Specific praise and encouragement for positive behaviour.
- Recognising individual effort, progress and achievements.
- Sharing individual achievements with parents and carers.
- Offering a variety of engaging activities that meet children's interests and needs.
Understanding and supporting behaviour
As children develop and learn, they may need support and guidance with their behaviour. Children may need this support for a variety of reasons, including frustration, anxiety, communication difficulties, sensory needs, tiredness or finding an activity challenging. Staff will seek to understand what a child is communicating through their behaviour and respond calmly and sensitively.
Where appropriate, we will work with the child and their parent or carer to identify triggers, agree helpful strategies and make adjustments to activities, communication or the environment. Strategies will be reviewed and adapted as needed.
Responding to behaviour that causes concern
- Staff will respond calmly, using clear, age-appropriate language to explain what needs to change and why.
- Children will be supported to understand the impact of their actions and given time and help to regulate their emotions.
- Where helpful, staff will offer choices, adapt an activity or support the child to take a break in a quieter space while remaining appropriately supervised.
- Staff will give the child an opportunity to explain what happened when they feel ready. Conversations will be handled discreetly while maintaining appropriate supervision.
- Where appropriate, and when the children involved are ready, staff will support them to resolve disagreements and consider how to put things right. Children will not be pressured to take part in mediation.
- If a child appears disengaged or bored, staff will consult with them about more engaging activities and review the suitability of the activities and environment.
- Staff will work with parents and carers where concerns persist, agreeing consistent support strategies and reviewing their effectiveness.
- Staff will never use physical punishment, humiliation, intimidation or the withholding of food, drink or access to the toilet.
- Children's dignity and wellbeing will be respected throughout.
Incidents and communication with parents and carers
Significant behaviour incidents, including those involving injury or a risk of harm, will be recorded. Records will include what happened, the support provided, any injuries and any agreed follow-up actions.
Parents and carers will be informed promptly if their child is injured, causes harm to another person or is involved in a significant incident. Staff will explain what happened and the action taken while respecting the privacy of other children.
Immediate safety concerns
If a child's behaviour presents an immediate risk that staff cannot safely manage, their parent or carer may be asked to collect them. Staff will take steps to protect those present, and the child will remain supervised and supported until collection.
When a child may need to stop attending
Where concerns continue, Bitsi will work with the child and their parent or carer to review support strategies and consider appropriate adjustments. If, despite this support, Bitsi cannot safely meet the child's needs, a temporary pause or ending their attendance may be considered as a last resort.
The reasons, support already tried and next steps will be discussed clearly with the parent or carer and explained sensitively to the child in a way appropriate to their age and understanding.