Changing outcomes through understanding

At the Foundation, we use Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) to create lasting change by understanding the needs, feelings, and experiences behind behaviour. Rather than focusing on punishment, we teach, guide, and support children and young people to express themselves in safer, more appropriate ways. Through trusting relationships, reflection, and clear teaching of alternative skills, students learn to understand their emotions and make positive choices. This helps create a calm, safe environment where every learner feels valued and able to thrive. Instead of focusing on punishment, we use PBS at the Foundation to teach our children and young people healthier, more socially acceptable ways to express themselves. Through building positive relationships, reflecting on behaviours, and teaching alternative skills, students learn to make better choices in response to their emotions. This approach helps improve their quality of life, fosters long-term behavioural change, and creates a supportive and enabling environment for growth.

School and Sixth Form

More about PBS

PBS recognises that behaviours of concern often communicate unmet needs or overwhelming emotions. Instead of trying to control behaviour, we focus on understanding and responding in supportive ways. We teach alternative skills and create environments that reduce stress and prevent escalation.

Children and young people are supported to meet their needs—such as attention, comfort, or a break—in positive, appropriate ways. This builds communication, emotional regulation, confidence, and supports meaningful engagement in learning.

Boy smiling at camera holding binoculars

School and Sixth Form

How we implement PBS

Through the use of positive relationships, staff and student de-brief and staff and student reflection we are able to support our children to think about the many contributing factors to their presenting behaviours.

By developing a shared understanding of why behaviours of concern happen, staff are better able to teach and reinforce alternative responses in a consistent way across different situations and environments.

Children and young people are supported to reflect on what they notice in their bodies and emotions before, during, and after situations occur. As they learn to recognise and name their feelings, we work together to introduce strategies that support safer, more positive choices.
Over time, consistent and supportive responses help children and young people feel confident that expressing their needs will be met with understanding. This builds trust, strengthens emotional regulation, and supports lasting positive change, leading to improved wellbeing and quality of life.

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