Case Study: Sam’s Story

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a service that meets the needs of students with challenging behaviours and provides a positive learning environment for all students. Children are supported to learn critical social skills, develop positive attitudes and values, interact positively, complete school work and demonstrate appropriate self-control. Please read one of our case studies about Sam (not his real name) which tells the story of his successful changes in behaviour.

When we first started working with Sam, it was in the midst of the pandemic, and all contact with friends and family had stopped. He did not want anyone to visit his home, and he didn’t want to leave it. Sam was happy to go to school but struggled to access the community. His Mum was also anxious from the fear of Sam using challenging behaviour, which could be extremely aggressive towards her at the time.

Our work with him started slowly. The Specialist Keyworker had to arrange a video call, use a social story(a tool that helps to explain social situations) then meet in a park before Sam invited her to visit him at his house. The implementation of the PBS Plan has supported Sam in understanding his emotions and how to help himself when he struggles to self-regulate. During this time, the family had a bereavement, and to deal with Sam’s loss, we supported Sam in learning some methods to help him get through it.

We gave Sam techniques to help him manage his anger. This included work with his Keyworker and talking sessions using Minecraft as a way to get him to open up.

We have supported Sam in accessing the community. His Mum has found him several groups, to attend, and during the school holidays, his Keyworker took him for a day out at the Runway Visitors Park. This was the first time Sam had been out with someone not part of his family. Sam has also started playing football on Friday nights, which he enjoys, allowing him to mix with his peers in a social setting. He is building skills such as teamwork and is working on friendships.

Recently, Sam was made Man of the Match. We are all incredibly proud of him. Seeing how much he had improved since we first met him is brilliant. This is all down to Sam wanting to learn and his Mum helping him along the way.