On the timetable - plans to improve behaviour in schools

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:17:34

The Royal Borough looks set to implement a range of measures to improve behaviour in schools.

Plans to develop services designed to promote good behaviour and tackle anti-social behaviour were given the thumbs-up by members of the children’s services overview and scrutiny panel on Thursday (May 8) – and will be considered by cabinet on May 22.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children’s services, said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour is a council priority, and we are determined to continue to address the problem – while acknowledging that most children are well-behaved most of the time.

“When children don’t behave properly it causes problems for everyone – but unfortunately there are no simple answers to explain such behaviour.  Similarly there are no ‘quick fix’ solutions – and that is why we are introducing a broad range of actions to address the situation.”

Plans include:
· involving youth workers in schools to promote pro-social behaviour
· working more closely with  the charity Family Friends – which provides  parenting support to families and groups – to undertake family-based interventions in cases of anti-social behaviour
· working with the Family Welfare Association to deliver services to vulnerable families, in particular those with a parental history of substance misuse, mental health issues and offending behaviour
· developing projects – funded by the government’s Dedicated Schools Grant – designed to help prevent exclusions from school
· liaising with neighbouring authorities to provide seamless support for out-of-borough children who attend borough schools
· appointing two mental health workers to carry out preventative work with children at risk.

Cllr Quick added: “Our recent Tellus 2 survey indicated that Royal Borough pupils continue to be concerned about bullying in particular, which is one of the main forms of anti-social behaviour. 

“Some headteachers have also expressed concern about the effectiveness of current behaviour support services – and it is in response to concerns such as these that we have drawn up our action plan.

“Although there are rarely simple solutions, its is important to acknowledge that all schools have the potential to raise standards by employing consistent methods of good practice in learning and teaching, as well as in behaviour management.”

Existing preventative measures employed by the council include:
· the Healthy Schools programme which helps to promote positive behaviour (39 borough schools have achieved Healthy Schools status)
· the Royal Borough’s anti-social behaviour team who work closely with the police and community wardens to provide diversionary activities or joint work with other agencies
· a behaviour and attendance consultant supporting secondary schools – all borough schools have achieved “at least satisfactory” Ofsted ratings for personal development and well-being
· youth workers employed by the community and youth service trained to engage with young people and prevent anti-social behaviour
· educational psychologists who work with school staff to manage the behaviour of young children
· the Connexions Service, an advice, guidance and support agency for young people aged 13 to 19
· a range of parenting programmes
· the charity Family Friends (part-funded by the Royal Borough) which also provides parenting support to families and groups.