Academies & Multi-academy Trusts AP SEMH & PRU INSET Behaviour Management INSET Courses for Teachers Special Schools Special Schools & Alternative Provision Training for TAs & LSAs

INSET: Approaches to Support Challenging Behaviour

Home » Schools, MAT's & Academies » MATs, Academies & Maintained Schools » Academies & Multi-academy Trusts » INSET: Approaches to Support Challenging Behaviour

Course Overview


This interactive CPD course equips educators with the understanding and tools to support learners who display challenging behaviour. Rather than focusing on control or punishment, the course explores the underlying causes of behaviour and promotes inclusive, trauma-informed strategies that foster long-term change.

Course Objectives

Participants will:

  • Understand the root causes of challenging behaviour using the Iceberg Theory.
  • Explore how trauma, mental health, and SEND can influence behaviour.
  • Learn to manage low-level disruption and behaviour during unstructured times (e.g., corridors, lunch).
  • Reflect on their own responses and how these impact learner outcomes.
  • Apply evidence-based models such as:
    • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
    • Emotion Coaching
    • Restorative Practice

INSET Outline

Understanding Challenging Behaviour

  • What constitutes “challenging behaviour” in today’s classrooms
  • Behaviour as communication: shifting from “management” to “support”
  • The Iceberg Theory: identifying unseen triggers

Trauma, Mental Health & SEND

  • How trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect behaviour
  • Recognising signs of mental health challenges and neurodiversity
  • Strategies for supporting learners with ADHD, ASD, and other SEND profiles

Supporting Learners in Crisis

  • Identifying crisis behaviours and de-escalation techniques
  • Emotion Coaching: helping students regulate and recover
  • Creating psychologically safe environments

Managing Low-Level Disruption

  • Practical strategies for persistent off-task behaviour
  • Building routines and expectations that reduce disruption
  • Using PBS to reinforce positive behaviours

Behaviour in Unstructured Settings

  • Proactive supervision and support outside the classroom
  • Empowering support staff with consistent strategies
  • Restorative approaches to conflict resolution

Reflective Practice & Whole-School Culture

  • How adult behaviour influences student behaviour
  • Building a consistent, relational approach across teams
  • Tools for self-reflection and continuous improvement

    “Inspiring”

    Chris Greenhough ,
    Head Teacher Swanwick School and Sports College (Special School)
    Find out more about this

      document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

      Ask us about this.
      Show less

      enquiries@jmcinset.com

      020 8531 4182

      Further support

      Discover more from JMC INSET

      Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

      You may also like: