Introduction

3.1   The council offer funded care and support services throughout Gloucestershire for adults who have assessed eligible care needs under the Care Act 2014. Care is provided, but not limited to, people over the age of 18 with Autism, physical and learning disabilities, as well as those considered ‘older adults’.  

3.2    Some adults who draw on the support of our services may at times behave in a way that challenges those providing care and support to them, for example: 

• Swearing and threats to others 
• Shouting  
• Hitting and punching 
• Kicking  
• Biting 
• Self-harm 
• Throwing items 
• Absconding 

3.3   Causes for the person’s behaviour may have many reasons, including: 

• Being unsettled by loud noises or other stimuli 
• Feeling bored, overwhelmed or frustrated 
• Being spoken to or supported in a way they don’t like 
• Being unable to do something they would like to do 
• Being in pain or feeling unwell 
• Being asked to do things they’re not comfortable with 
• Feeling anxious 

The cause of a person’s behaviour may not always be immediately obvious, discernible or easily understood. 

3.4   Emerson (2001) defines behaviours that challenge as: 
‘culturally abnormal behaviour of such an intensity, frequency or duration that the physical safety of the person or others is likely to be placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour which is likely to seriously limit or deny access to and use of ordinary community facilities. 

3.5   We acknowledge that behaviours that challenge is a social construct and behaviours which may be problematic in one setting or family may not be concerning in another. 

3.6   The council has adopted a framework which supports a person and their family, friends and carers, to understand the function of behaviour that challenges. The aim is to help ensure people are supported in a way that minimises the causes of behaviours that challenge, so that wellbeing and recovery is promoted, and harm is reduced. 

3.7   The council is committed to the delivery of care and services that are concordant with the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice, Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010. Services will be delivered with a rights-based, compassionate approach, to enhance people’s quality of life. 

3.8   In circumstances where behaviours that challenge are present, we will at all times: 

• Follow the principles of Positive Behavioural Support  
• Use appropriate Social Work frameworks to increase our understanding of the person we are supporting, such as Trauma Informed care  
• Liaise with the council’s Positive Behavioural Support Service and other specialist services as appropriate