Bitesize Learning: Managing challenging behaviour

This bitesize e-learning series has been funded by MHCLG through the VCFS Programme.

Experiencing challenging behaviours within homelessness services can be difficult for frontline staff, the person exhibiting the behaviour, and others who are also accessing the service.

The following bitesize e-learning videos provide an understanding of what may cause challenging behaviours, how to reduce the chances of them occurring, and how teams can regulate their own emotions and in turn, be able to provide the support individuals need.

These recordings are aimed at frontline staff in homelessness services, who are looking to build on their knowledge, skills, and understanding of supporting people who are exhibiting challenging behaviours.

Understanding challenging behaviour as a way of communicating

Part 1

• What behaviours are we talking about?
• Who are the behaviours challenging to?

Part 2

• Types of challenging behaviour
• Trauma and challenging behaviour

We have a range of resources on trauma and trauma-informed care (TIC), including an information webpage on TIC, and a practice development tool for services to become more trauma-informed.

Part 3

• Why is challenging behaviour occurring now?
• What is the behaviour trying to say?

Responding to challenging behaviour and managing risk in relation to that behaviour

Part 4

• What can be done to make challenging behaviours less likely
• Ways of conducting assessments and starting working relationships

We have a range of resources on strengths based-practice, an approach which rather than addressing the 'problems' of the individual, looks at identifying the strengths and goals that the person wishes to work towards. View our resources here.

Part 5

• Considering the effects of the environment in relation to reducing challenging behaviours

Our practice development tool for being trauma-informed can assist you further in considering potential environmental changes to improve the physical and psychological safety of people accessing services.

Part 6

• Long-term behaviours
• How to safely manage 'puncturing behaviours'

We have a range of resources to support you with addressing long-term behaviours:

• Mental Health & Homelessness E-Learning
• Guidance on supporting people who use drugs
• Autism and Homelessness Toolkit
• Guidance on brain injury and homelessness
• Podcast episodes covering supporting people with complex health and care needs, and supporting people who use drugs/alcohol.

Part 7

• Creating immediate safety
• Skills in regulating and co-regulation

We have a free e-learning series on strengths-based practice which is fantastic accompaniment to this module.

Part 8

• How to generate a consistent team approach as way of reducing challenging behaviours in your service.

We have resources for managers on 'psychologically informed management' including guidance on supervisions and inductions.

Part 9

• How to regulate your own emotions when supporting people exhibiting challenging behaviours.

We have a range of resources for teams on how to process incidents of challenging behaviour, including:

• Guidance on reflective practice
• Podcast series with episodes covering burnout, stress, vicarious trauma, reflective practice and debriefing
• Guidance on psychologically-informed management