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Pupils with challenging behaviour: risk assessments and guidance

Complete a risk assessment as early as possible to get support for the child and keep them, and other pupils and staff, safe. Download our template and use our prompts to help complete it.

Last reviewed on 17 April 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 1879
Contents
  1. Download our risk assessment template
  2. Have a risk assessment in place where restrictive interventions might be used
  3. Base a pupil's risk assessment on their behaviour plan
  4. Consider a risk assessment on a case-by-case basis
  5. Refer to the risk assessment regularly
  6. Involve parents and carers
  7. Use a specialist risk assessment for pupils who may self-harm

Download our risk assessment template

KeyDoc: pupils exhibiting challenging behaviour risk assessment DOCX, 169.9 KB
Download

It covers the following types of challenging behaviour:

  • Verbal aggression
  • Physical aggression
  • Destructiveness

Our template includes prompts for identifying, assessing and managing the risks, to help you fill it out. 

It also allows you to record where staff may need to use restrictive interventions, including reasonable force.

Have a risk assessment in place where restrictive interventions might be used

The DfE's guidance on restrictive interventions says you should:

  • Carry out risk assessments so staff who regularly work alongside pupils where the use of reasonable force and/or other restrictive interventions may be required can do so as safely as possible
  • Put risk assessments in place when there's a known risk, for example if it’s more likely that reasonable force or restraint may be needed to keep people safe

Identify this risk Make sure the relevant staff and parents/carers