If a pupil's displaying challenging behaviour, you'll need to consider whether it's the result of an underlying need (or needs), such as:
- Special educational needs (SEN)
- Learning difficulties
- Difficulties with communication
- Mental health issues
- Issues at home (e.g. bereavement, abuse, neglect, criminal exploitation)
- Issues within their social group (e.g. being bullied)
This is set out in paragraph 44 of the DfE’s behaviour in schools guidance.
It's much easier to tackle the challenging behaviour once you know what need the pupil is communicating via the behaviour. In order to do this, you will need to assess the pupil.
Begin by discussing the behaviour with the pupil and their parents
Next, consider