Topics: Behaviour and Our services
Types of behavioural support
There are many types of support available for children and guardians who need help with behaviour issues. From things you can try yourself to professional support, getting help can make a positive difference in your lives. This guide explains what support exists, how it can help and how you can access it.
Types of behavioural support
Anyone who experiences challenging behaviour can benefit from support. Understanding the different types of support available can help you find what works for your situation, needs and importantly, the child you care for.
Support fits into four categories:
Do it yourself
Community
Structured
Therapies
You can find out more about each type of support below. First, it’s worth thinking about how you might benefit from professional support.
How professional support can help
Many guardians find challenging behaviour stressful, distressing and exhausting. Getting help from a third party can give you new energy and ideas that may improve your situation.
Just having someone to hear your story and understand your needs can have a big impact on your feelings and behaviour.
A professional brings fresh eyes and perspective that can create a new dynamic in your relationships. That may lead to both you and the child you care for responding differently when things get tough.
Professionals can also share their experience from working with other guardians. They have supported hundreds of children and guardians with challenges just like yours, which means they can find an approach that work for you both.
Every child is different, but there are common behaviours and proven approaches to help.
Overcoming fear and doubt
You may have some concerns that have so far stopped you asking for support. Other guardians have said they delayed getting help for the following reasons.
Asking for help felt like a failure.
Concerned they may lose the child they care for.
Worried about what the child may say during support work.
Felt they may find issues can’t be fixed or improved.
Didn’t want to ‘bother’ ‘busy’ professionals.
Concerned support will cost too much.
Wary about ‘professionals’ from previous experiences.
All these fears are understandable, they don’t reflect reality. Most guardians feel relief as soon as they asked for support and often wish they had done it earlier. Being aware of how you feel is important, but don't let it hold you back from getting help.
Lots of support is free and you may be able to get funding for specialist support. It’s never too late to start and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Do it yourself support
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Tips and tactics
There are great resources recommended by both guardians and our support team that you can try out yourself, at your own pace. They contain clear advice and step-by-step approaches for lots of common situations.
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Therapeutic parenting
The A–Z of Therapeutic Parenting is a book that covers practical tips and strategies for dealing with over 60 common behaviours and situations when caring for a child or young person.
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Join online groups
The Therapeutic Parents Facebook group has over 35,000+ members. You can find ideas from other parent carers and professionals, share your challenges and learn from others people’s experiences.
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Read the Great Behaviour Breakdown
The Great Behaviour Breakdown (GBB) is full of practical advice. The book was written for the parent carers of children living away from their birth family.
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Watch expert guides
The Centre for Excellence in Childhood Trauma has a YouTube channel featuring videos that share strategies for dealing with lots of common behavioural challenges.
Community support
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Contact our team
Our experienced team are here to help support you and the child you care for. They will listen without judgement and give you emotional and practical support on the next steps.
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Join a guardian group
Special guardians often say that no one understands them like other guardians. Sharing your situation and experiences can give you new reassurance, perspective and ideas.
Structured Support
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Life story sessions
Children get to understand and build their own identity by sharing their story in confidence. Life story sessions help them address the underlying cause of their behaviour.
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Therapeutic parenting
Understanding what causes behaviour and learn practical skills through several hands-on, in-person sessions. You also connect with a wider group of parent carers to share your experiences with.
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Behavioural support sessions
We work with you over several sessions to identify the cause of behaviour and create a personalised plan to address the issues and develop new skills.
Therapies
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In-depth support
Our support team can help identify what therapies may be useful to you and the child you care for. We can help you find providers and apply for places and funding.
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Play therapy
Play therapy sessions are a chance for younger children to explore how they are feeling and have some fun. Over several sessions, a play therapist can help you understand the cause of behaviours make changes for the better that will last.
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Music and art therapy
Music and art can reinforce some behaviours and modify others. Children build their creative comfort through listening to music, dancing, singing, or playing an instrument. They may make an art project or explore different ways to express themselves.
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Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help a child manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave. It involves a series of regular sessions over a period of weeks with a trained child therapist.
Things you can do now
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Contact our team
Often a simple conversation with our support team can already help provide reassurance and practical guidance. We will listen without judgement and can draw on years of experience and training to help you and the child you care for.
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Understand and improve behaviour
We have created guidance and videos to help explain why behaviour occurs, what it may mean and simple practical things you can do to improve the situation for you and the child you care for.
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See common behaviours
Our team help hundreds of children and guardians every year. We’ve made a list of some of the common behaviours to reassure you it’s okay to start asking for support.