A major aim of any placement with Witherslack Care & Education Initiatives is to help the young person develop personal controls and to recognise that positive behaviour patterns are encouraged and rewarded. To assist this development, an environment has been established which gives both support and security to young people, whilst allowing sufficient flexibility for individual development. Management techniques involve a range of strategies including the use of contracts, rewards, and positive reinforcement and counselling.
Staff receive extensive training and guidance in respect of creating a positive environment where relationships are based upon mutual trust and respect. It is important for all concerned, young people and staff alike, that there are clear expectations regarding behaviour.Young people have a right to be treated as individuals.
There may be times when the home’s usual approaches to discipline has failed or when young people are placing themselves or others at risk of harm. In such circumstances, staff may use restrictive physical intervention. All staff are trained in the use of Team Teach Techniques. All restrictive physical interventions are conducted in accordance with agreed guidelines and staff receive regular refresher training in de-escalation and management techniques. The home’s Manager regularly monitors the use of physical intervention and makes written recording to that effect.
Witherslack Care & Education Initiatives has adopted TEAM TEACH as their model for positive handling intervention. TEAM TEACH promotes the least intrusive positive handling strategy and a continuum of gradual and graded techniques, with an emphasis and preference for the use of verbal, non verbal de-escalation strategies being used and exhausted before positive handling strategies are utilised.
