People with learning difficulties often find life very frustrating. When an individual also has significant communication difficulties, this frustration might sometimes turn into anger. All of the staff at RSDCD (including “non-contact” colleagues such as secretaries, cooks and maintenance staff) are trained to support students at times of upset and anxiety. Sometimes a student will behave in a way that greatly challenges staff. However, we believe our very positive approach to students’ behaviour greatly reduces the likelihood of difficult situations arising. We realise, though, that incidents will occur. Staff are trained to manage these in ways that minimise risks, and that allow the dignity of the individual student to remain intact.
We teach staff the importance of a wide range of factors, both within the person and within the environment, that influence human behaviour. We make sure staff know how human beings respond to anxiety, stress and fear. Staff learn strategies for preventing difficult situations and for diffusing them skilfully. Staff also learn how to manage situations in a calm, low risk manner if a student seems likely to self-injure or injure others. As a very last resort, after other strategies have been tried, staff are trained to offer physical intervention using the Timian system. This is accredited by the British Institute of Leaning Disabilities. Several members of our staff are themselves highly experienced Timian Trainers. All staff have “refresher” training once a year.
Students who are happy and free of anxiety make the best learners. We believe that to the greatest extent possible, our approach helps our students live and learn in a calm and safe environment.