Negative Behaviour Approach - If Not CALM Trained.

Hayfield Support Services with Deaf People is a facility which has been specifically developed to meet the needs of deaf people who experience additional problems.  These problems may be of a psychological, social or emotional nature and can, in some cases, result in the deaf person being disruptive in a caring household, or being unable to live independently in the community.

Staff may encounter behavioural problems and this is a brief statement of guidelines for staff to follow in such events.

Firstly, it is imperative that staff make every attempt to find out the reason for the disruptive behaviour.  This may be achieved by encouraging open communication between service users and with staff on a one-to-one basis.  Sign language, gestures, role play, writing, drawing, etc., may help to clarify the reasons behind an outburst.

It may be necessary to offer a "time out" period in order to relieve the stress put on the other service users.

It is Hayfield’s policy to offer support and guidance within a caring environment. Negative reinforcements should be carefully avoided. It is necessary to follow-up all incidents in order to offer guidance and social learning.

Follow up procedures should always be related to the type of incident involved.  It is important to counsel the person(s) as to the consequences of their behaviour and to discover the best possible way to deter them from repeating such an event in such a way that they learn and develop from their experience.

Staff must always demonstrate a willingness to listen and care without allowing a service user to manipulate the situation.

If staff are not trained in CALM, physical restraint must be avoided, unless the situation is so severe that this response is necessary to control threatened risk to either the service user involved or any other party.

Senior staff may be contacted at any time either for guidance/instruction or they may attend to provide support in person.

The police may also be called if the disturbance develops beyond the staff's control.  However, this option is a last resort.

Staff may require to have further meetings with senior staff and/or service users to follow-up incidents of negative behaviour.  This follow-up or de-briefing meeting could assist staff to provide a consistent approach.