Behaviour Management Policy

For School Age Services

Name of Service: Blossom’s Childcare

This policy is available at all times and communicated to parents, guardians, and school age children.

1. Purpose

This policy sets out the approach our service takes to promote positive behaviour and manage

challenging behaviour in a safe, respectful, and developmentally appropriate manner. The aim is to

support children’s emotional and social development in line with the best interests of the child and

Tusla regulations.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, children, and families attending or involved in the school

age service, including before-school, after-school, and holiday care. It is a requirement under the

Registration of School Age Services Regulations 2018 (Regulation 11 – Behaviour Management).

3. Statement of Commitment

Our service is committed to:

 Promoting positive behaviour through respectful interactions, consistency, and child-centred

approaches.

 Supporting children to develop self-regulation, problem-solving, and social skills.

 Ensuring all behaviour management practices are free from harm, discrimination, or

humiliation.

 Upholding each child’s dignity and rights under the UNCRC.

4. Guiding Principles

 Children have a right to be heard and included in decisions affecting them.

 Behaviour is understood as communication and is influenced by environment, relationships,

and emotional development.

 A consistent, predictable routine and clear boundaries help children feel secure.

 Respectful relationships between staff and children are the foundation for effective

behaviour guidance.

Affinity Childcare Group Ltd T/A Blossoms Childcare

5. Strategies to Promote Positive Behaviour

Our educators and staff will:

 Involve children in creating age-appropriate group rules and expectations.

 Model respectful, calm, and inclusive behaviour at all times.

 Use positive reinforcement and encouragement to acknowledge appropriate behaviour.

 Support children to express their emotions and solve conflicts constructively.

 Provide engaging and meaningful play experiences to reduce frustration and boredom.

 Use redirection and choice to promote autonomy and self-regulation.

6. Responding to Challenging Behaviour

Staff will respond to challenging behaviour by:

1. Remaining calm, respectful, and non-judgmental.

2. Acknowledging the child’s feelings and helping them label emotions.

3. Redirecting the child to alternative actions or spaces as needed.

4. Offering clear and consistent explanations of limits and expectations.

5. Applying fair, logical consequences (e.g., helping to repair harm done).

6. Recording incidents of persistent or concerning behaviour using the service’s Incident Report

procedure.

7. Consulting with parents/guardians and developing support plans where appropriate.

7. Prohibited Practices (Strictly Not Permitted)

In line with Tusla Regulations and Children First Guidelines, the following practices are prohibited:

 Corporal punishment

 Shouting, verbal abuse, or threats

 Belittling, isolating, or humiliating a child

 Withdrawal of food, rest, or toileting as punishment

 Any form of emotional or physical harm

Breaches of this policy will be treated as a serious matter and dealt with under the service’s

Disciplinary and Child Safeguarding Policies.

Affinity Childcare Group Ltd T/A Blossoms Childcare

8. Collaboration with Families

 Families will be informed of behaviour expectations and the service’s approach on

enrolment.

 Staff will communicate openly and respectfully with parents about any behavioural

concerns.

 Where ongoing issues arise, staff will work with families to develop individualised behaviour

support strategies in the child’s best interests.

9. Staff Training and Support

 All staff are trained in behaviour guidance, child development, and Children First principles.

 Staff receive ongoing professional development and opportunities for reflective practice.

 Complex behavioural needs will be supported with input from external agencies (e.g. NEPS,

local child psychologists) where necessary, with consent from families.

10. Physical Intervention Policy

We promote positive behaviour through respect and support.

Physical intervention is used only as a last resort and in emergencies to prevent serious harm.

When It May Be Used

Only if a child:

 Is at immediate risk of harming themselves or others

 Is causing dangerous damage

 And all other strategies have failed

Intervention must be:

 Proportionate, reasonable, brief, and non-harmful (ensure no pain is inflicted upon the child)

Staff Must Not

 Use force as discipline or threat

 Restrain unless there’s immediate danger

 Use any method that causes pain or fear

After an Incident

Affinity Childcare Group Ltd T/A Blossoms Childcare

 Keep the child safe and calm

 Inform the manager

 Support the child

 Record and report the incident

 Inform parents the same day

 Review plans or refer to safeguarding if needed

Planning & Training

 Risk plans made for children with ongoing needs

 Only trained staff may use physical intervention

11. Cyberbullying Policy

If cyberbullying is suspected:

1. Support and reassure the child

2. Record details factually

3. Intervene appropriately and involve parents

4. Preserve evidence (e.g. screenshots)

5. Monitor and follow up

Parents are informed of incidents involving their child and supported with online safety guidance.

Staff identify signs of cyberbullying, model respectful conduct, and report serious concerns to

management or external agencies.

All incidents are logged confidentially. Child protection concerns are escalated per Children First.

12. Procedure if a child leaves the premises unaccompanied

If a child leaves without permission:

1. Area is searched immediately.

2. Parents and Gardaí are contacted if child isn’t found quickly.

3. On return, the child is supported calmly and safely.

4. Incident is recorded and reviewed with family.

5. Safeguards and supports are put in place, including updated risk assessments.

Affinity Childcare Group Ltd T/A Blossoms Childcare

13. Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if required by legislation, inspection feedback, or service

need. Feedback from staff, children, and families will inform continuous improvement.