Early intervention

All children who are at risk of presenting behavioural challenges have the right to have their needs identified at an early stage, leading to co-ordinated early intervention, support and education. 

Consult the resources below relating to ‘early intervention’:

Paving the Way

Children with learning disabilities whose behaviours challenge need the right support early in childhood.  Early intervention using methods such as Positive Behaviour Support can reduce the severity and frequency of challenging behaviour and improve quality of life.

The right support provided locally, at the right time, and delivered in partnership with families can also avoid the high costs of crisis intervention.

The CBF led a three-year project on early intervention called Paving the Way.

Paving the Way

For all resources associated with the Paving the Way Early Intervention Project, please see our dedicated children and young people website, pavingtheway.works.

The Paving the Way report describes how to develop effective local services for children with learning disabilities and behaviours described as challenging. It includes examples of good practice, outcomes and costings, and advice on how to develop evidence-based local services.

Read or download the report: Paving the Way

Get a hard copy of Paving the Way

The Keeping in Touch with Home report explains the importance of keeping in contact with family members for children and young people with a severe learning disability, and gives guidance on how this can be achieved in residential settings.

Read or download the report: Keeping in Touch with Home

Get a hard copy of Keeping in Touch with Home

Getting an Education, Health and Care Plan in England

This page and information sheet is for family carers of children and young people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges living in England, and explain the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system.

Getting an Education, Health and Care Plan in England

Getting a Statement in Wales and Northern Ireland

A Statement is a legal document that sets out your child’s special educational needs and the support your child requires to meet their needs (Statements are given in Wales and Northern Ireland). Consult this page for a ‘quick read guide’ and a complete information sheet available to download.

Getting a Statement in Wales and Northern Ireland

For Families Living in Scotland

The education system has changed in Scotland and statements are no longer being issued. Please contact the charity Enquire for information on the current Scottish system: Website: www.enquire.org.uk / Helpline: 0845 123 2303.

Getting an EHC Plan in England (for professionals)

This webpage and information sheet contains guidelines for professionals on developing EHC plans for young people with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging, following their introduction in September 2014.

Getting an EHC Plan in England (for professionals)

At a glance guides

Produced in partnership with the Social Care Institute for Excellence these guides set out how to get the right support for your relative.

At a glance guide to ‘Getting the right support for children’

At a glance guide to ‘Getting the right support for teenagers’

Resources from other organisations

Campaign group Every Disabled Child Matters have produced a resource for parent carers with advice on law and where to go for more support when council cuts threaten children’s services. It was developed with input from Alex Rook, Partner at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and Barrister Steve Broach. The resource helps to explain the legal framework around the provision of short break services, highlighting opportunities for families with children to challenge cuts to these services.

What’s the point of a parent carer’s needs assessment? Steve Broach’s blog post provides a helpful explanation of the new parent carer’s needs assessment (PCNA) introduced by section 97 of the Children and Families Act.