BEHAVIOUR POLICY

Dated September 2012

The next date for review of this policy is ………September 2013………………………

Introduction

•    Young people are encouraged to act in a respectful and responsible manner

•    Young people will be made aware about social responsibility, justice and their own importance in creating the positive climate we all desire

•    Respect4us believes that all experiences should be a learning experience

•    Respect4us provides a place for young people where they feel safe, secure and cared for. Young people are offered guidance on appropriate behaviour and they are treated in a fair and consistent way at all times

•    Respect4us encourages positive relationships between all members of the community, and staff are role models for appropriate behaviour

•    All members of the community have a right to be respected

•    All young people are given appropriate advise, support and the opportunity to express their feelings and to be listened to in order to help and encourage a change in their underlying behaviour or develop strategies to deal with specific problems

•    Young people are encouraged to maintain and improve good behaviour and positive relationships

•    Respect4us works positively with parents, carers and the home school to overcome any behavioural difficulties that a young person may be experiencing

•    Restorative justice will be used where appropriate to provide an opportunity for forgiveness, to build bridges and for students to learn about the consequences of their actions

1.    Motivation and Rewards

Respect4us recognises that the motivation and the feeling of worth for young people are     critical to build upon self-esteem and self-belief, which will reflect in a young person’s behaviour.

Students will be encouraged to have respect for:

•    Themselves
•    Each other
•    Their own and others possessions
•    Everybody’s opinion
•    The environment

Respect4us will use a positive approach, tone and body language in order to motivate students.

Respect4us acknowledge and praise young people whenever possible, verbally and in written form, to the student, parent, carer or home school in order to motivate and raise self-esteem and self-awareness.

2.    Sanctions

There are occasions where suitable sanctions will need to be employed in order to acknowledge that there are consequences for our actions and the choices we make.

Young people, parents, carers and home school have the right to know why and when a sanction was imposed.

More serious sanctions will only be imposed when an incident has been investigated and the student has been deemed responsible ‘’in all probability’’ of committing the misdemeanour of which they are being accused. Respect4us will work in partnership with the home school when appropriate in order for the appropriate sanction to be employed.

To be effective sanctions need to be applied sparingly, appropriately and consistently.

Staff are encouraged to use their skills of discretion to manage situations that arise without the need to deploy sanctions.

Restorative justice will take place where necessary after a major incident.

3.    Expectations

•    Young people will be respected as individuals
•    Respect4 us will ensure a level of consistency
•    Extreme anti-social or racist behaviour will not be tolerated
•    Illegal substance or alcohol brought onto or taken into the premises will not be tolerated
•    Young people under the influence of illegal substances or alcohol will not be tolerated