Children and young people living in out-of-home care can often present with a range of behaviours that can seem confusing, terrifying, infuriating, or exhausting to the adults in their lives doing their best to support them. The question is, why do children behave the way they do, and how can we help them meet their needs in a more positive way?
 

This workshop uses the latest research and best practice to inform practical trauma-informed strategies for responding to behaviours that challenge. Children use behaviours to communicate their needs, so trauma-informed responses must target meeting those needs and supporting alternative ways to communicate in future. This session encourages us to reflect on our own areas of sensitivity and tolerance and the language we use to frame children expressing their needs, as well as developing behavioural intervention strategies that prioritise safety by meeting the children’s needs.
 

Glenys Bristow has spent 35 years in therapeutic residential care as a care worker, manager, trainer, and organisational consultant, who is passionate about providing relevant and up-to-date industry-informed training and caring for the workers who care for the young people. Glenys was awarded the Robin Clark Award and the RCLDS Leadership Award in Residential Care for demonstrating achievement and innovation with a significant impact on residential care systems and outcomes for children and young people.