Unit 27: Dealing with Challenging
Behaviour
Unit code: T/600/8982
QCF Level 3: BTEC Nationals
Credit value: 5
Guided learning hours: 30
.
Aim and purpose
This unit aims to enable learners to gain a knowledge of challenging behaviour and an understanding of
the associated legislation and guidance. Learners will also be able to consider how to deal with challenging
behaviour if they were working in a health or social care setting.
Unit introduction
Dealing with challenging behaviour is a high priority for people working in the health and social care sectors.
In their day-to-day routines, workers encounter a wide variety of behaviour which can significantly, and
adversely, affect the quality of the lives of those involved. It is important, therefore, that learners understand
the contexts in which such behaviour occurs in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of the
causes and effects of challenging behaviour, and the range of methods used to deal with it.
Health and social care workers are bound by professional codes of practice and legislation which determine
how they must respond in particular situations. Learners must understand these legal frameworks and the
outcomes they can have for workers and service users. This unit aims to develop learner knowledge and
understanding in these key areas and underpins other units in the qualification. It is essential in terms of
preparing learners to get the most from any work experience they undertake.
In order to complete the unit, learners must apply their learning by contributing to the development of a
strategy for dealing with challenging behaviour. They will need to consider the skills needed to minimise the
effects of challenging behaviour, such as recognising ‘triggers’, and appropriate methods of intervention.
This unit enables learners to assess some of the difficulties involved in working in the health and social care
sectors. It is suitable for all learners interested in a career in these sectors.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Know the potential causes and effects of challenging behaviour
2 Understand legislation and guidance concerned with challenging behaviour
3 Be able to contribute to the development of a strategy for dealing with challenging behaviour.
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
– Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
1
, Unit content
1 Know the potential causes and effects of challenging behaviour
Examples of challenging behaviour: verbal abuse, eg racist comments, threats, bullying others; non-verbal
abuse; physical abuse, eg assault of others; self-destructive behaviour; behaviour destructive to other
people; behaviour destructive to items in the environment; behaviour destructive to property; illegal
behaviour; the impact of cultural variations
Triggers: intrinsic, extrinsic; temporary personal factors, eg discomfort and/or pain caused by illness;
influence of alcohol/drugs; persistent personal factors, eg existence of a disability that prevents normal
communication, movement or behaviour; temporary environmental factors, eg living in temporary
accommodation; persistent environmental factor, eg excessive and/or prolonged noise; recognising
potential effects of own behaviour on that of others; the use and abuse of power
The potential effects of challenging behaviour: on the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of individuals
2 Understand legislation and guidance concerned with challenging behaviour
Conventions, legislation and regulations: relevant sections from legislation including The Human Rights Act;
The Convention on the Rights of the Child; The Children Act; The Care Standards Act; White Paper:
Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disabilities for the 21st Century; Every Child Matters leading
to The Children Act and The Children’s Plan; Mental Health Act
Codes of practice: codes of conduct established by professional bodies including The General Social Care
Council/Care Council for Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council (these bodies provide codes of
practice and rules of conduct for social care workers and employers); the NHS Constitution; Ofsted
Organisational policies and procedures: concerned with behavioural management, eg work practices,
staff development and training, quality issues, complaint procedures, affirmative action, anti-harassment,
human rights
3 Be able to contribute to the development of a strategy for dealing with challenging
behaviour
How to minimise the effects of challenging behaviour: coping strategies including positive behaviour
management; person-centred planning; effective communication; body language; promoting self-
esteem; anti-discriminatory practice; equitable application of rules and boundaries; integrated practice;
using strategies to empower and involve individuals who present challenging behaviour; awareness of
ABC charts; risk assessment; workforce training; following recognised procedures; management of the
aftermath; conflict resolution
Using specific approaches: providing active support; partnership working; psychotherapy; cognitive
behaviour therapy; medication; behaviour modification programmes
Methods of intervention: diversion, defusing, de-escalating and dealing with situations; seeking help; judging
timing and method appropriate to situation and event; communicating and consulting with individuals;
applying rewards and/or sanctions; applying medication; using physical intervention in line with an
organisation’s environment and culture; using appropriate physical restraint as a last resort, eg on a child
or adult; remaining calm and controlled when provoked
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
2 – Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
Behaviour
Unit code: T/600/8982
QCF Level 3: BTEC Nationals
Credit value: 5
Guided learning hours: 30
.
Aim and purpose
This unit aims to enable learners to gain a knowledge of challenging behaviour and an understanding of
the associated legislation and guidance. Learners will also be able to consider how to deal with challenging
behaviour if they were working in a health or social care setting.
Unit introduction
Dealing with challenging behaviour is a high priority for people working in the health and social care sectors.
In their day-to-day routines, workers encounter a wide variety of behaviour which can significantly, and
adversely, affect the quality of the lives of those involved. It is important, therefore, that learners understand
the contexts in which such behaviour occurs in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of the
causes and effects of challenging behaviour, and the range of methods used to deal with it.
Health and social care workers are bound by professional codes of practice and legislation which determine
how they must respond in particular situations. Learners must understand these legal frameworks and the
outcomes they can have for workers and service users. This unit aims to develop learner knowledge and
understanding in these key areas and underpins other units in the qualification. It is essential in terms of
preparing learners to get the most from any work experience they undertake.
In order to complete the unit, learners must apply their learning by contributing to the development of a
strategy for dealing with challenging behaviour. They will need to consider the skills needed to minimise the
effects of challenging behaviour, such as recognising ‘triggers’, and appropriate methods of intervention.
This unit enables learners to assess some of the difficulties involved in working in the health and social care
sectors. It is suitable for all learners interested in a career in these sectors.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Know the potential causes and effects of challenging behaviour
2 Understand legislation and guidance concerned with challenging behaviour
3 Be able to contribute to the development of a strategy for dealing with challenging behaviour.
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
– Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
1
, Unit content
1 Know the potential causes and effects of challenging behaviour
Examples of challenging behaviour: verbal abuse, eg racist comments, threats, bullying others; non-verbal
abuse; physical abuse, eg assault of others; self-destructive behaviour; behaviour destructive to other
people; behaviour destructive to items in the environment; behaviour destructive to property; illegal
behaviour; the impact of cultural variations
Triggers: intrinsic, extrinsic; temporary personal factors, eg discomfort and/or pain caused by illness;
influence of alcohol/drugs; persistent personal factors, eg existence of a disability that prevents normal
communication, movement or behaviour; temporary environmental factors, eg living in temporary
accommodation; persistent environmental factor, eg excessive and/or prolonged noise; recognising
potential effects of own behaviour on that of others; the use and abuse of power
The potential effects of challenging behaviour: on the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of individuals
2 Understand legislation and guidance concerned with challenging behaviour
Conventions, legislation and regulations: relevant sections from legislation including The Human Rights Act;
The Convention on the Rights of the Child; The Children Act; The Care Standards Act; White Paper:
Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disabilities for the 21st Century; Every Child Matters leading
to The Children Act and The Children’s Plan; Mental Health Act
Codes of practice: codes of conduct established by professional bodies including The General Social Care
Council/Care Council for Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council (these bodies provide codes of
practice and rules of conduct for social care workers and employers); the NHS Constitution; Ofsted
Organisational policies and procedures: concerned with behavioural management, eg work practices,
staff development and training, quality issues, complaint procedures, affirmative action, anti-harassment,
human rights
3 Be able to contribute to the development of a strategy for dealing with challenging
behaviour
How to minimise the effects of challenging behaviour: coping strategies including positive behaviour
management; person-centred planning; effective communication; body language; promoting self-
esteem; anti-discriminatory practice; equitable application of rules and boundaries; integrated practice;
using strategies to empower and involve individuals who present challenging behaviour; awareness of
ABC charts; risk assessment; workforce training; following recognised procedures; management of the
aftermath; conflict resolution
Using specific approaches: providing active support; partnership working; psychotherapy; cognitive
behaviour therapy; medication; behaviour modification programmes
Methods of intervention: diversion, defusing, de-escalating and dealing with situations; seeking help; judging
timing and method appropriate to situation and event; communicating and consulting with individuals;
applying rewards and/or sanctions; applying medication; using physical intervention in line with an
organisation’s environment and culture; using appropriate physical restraint as a last resort, eg on a child
or adult; remaining calm and controlled when provoked
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
2 – Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
