Challenging Behaviour Training

Duration 3 hours

Last audited 10th February 2023

CPD Approved
Challenging Behaviour Training
For me
For teams
  • 100% online training

  • Start when you like

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

  • Instant assessment and result

  • 1 learner per course

  • Train teams of all sizes

  • Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses

  • Pay by invoice with 30 day payment terms available (5+ courses)

£31 +VAT

include vat

Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

As someone who works with children, it's likely that you have encountered challenging behaviour at some point in your career. It can be difficult to know how to deal with this sort of behaviour - research by the Department for Education in 2019 showed that it is a major reason for teachers to leave the profession. However, with the right knowledge and techniques - and the understanding that there is usually an underlying cause that needs to be identified and supported - you can handle challenging behaviour effectively, appropriately, and confidently.

This Challenging Behaviour training course provides learners with the knowledge they need to respond to challenging behaviour in children of all ages. It goes into detail about the underlying causes and functions of the behaviour, the proactive strategies you can use to reduce the likelihood of it occurring, and how to deflect or react to low-level behaviour. The course will also discuss extreme challenging behaviour, including how to de-escalate incidents and put support in place (such as behaviour support plans, restorative practice, and targeted interventions) to help the child after the event.

This course has been developed to utilise animation, instructional video, and user activities to maximise engagement and learning.

100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Assessment retakes at no extra cost

Developed by education and behaviour specialists

Accredited by CPD

Accompanying course workbook and a range of downloadable, interactive resources

Earn 3 CPD points on completion

Bulk discount for orders of 10+ courses

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Understand what challenging behaviour is, theories behind it, its potential causes and functions, and the impact it has on the child and those around them.
  • Be able to monitor and assess an individual child’s behaviour using tools such as a behaviour support plan.
  • Understand the importance of a whole-school approach to behaviour.
  • Be able to use proactive strategies, including building positive relationships with students, teaching rules and routines, optimising the learning environment, and using rewards effectively.
  • Be able to use deflective strategies, such as redirection and peer praise, in response to low-level disruption.
  • Be able to apply reactive strategies, such as set responses, sanctions, and consequences effectively.
  • Understand how to respond effectively to extreme behaviour, including de-escalation strategies and physical intervention during the event, and restorative practice and targeted interventions after the incident.

Training you can trust

  • Course Content
  • Assessment
  • Suitable for

Module 1: Understanding Challenging Behaviour

What is challenging behaviour, the impact of challenging behaviour, functions of behaviour, underlying causes of behaviour, understanding and explaining behaviour, the whole-school approach.


Module 2: Proactive Behaviour Strategies

Modelling positive behaviour, building relationships, language, voice, and vocabulary, giving clear instructions, gaining pupils' attention, rules and routines, visual prompts, expectations, consistency, preparation, culture and challenging behaviour, rewards and recognition, the learning environment, engaging with parents and carers.

Module 3: Managing Low-Level Disruption

What is low-level disruption, strategic ignoring, redirection, peer praise, correction, set responses, restorative practice, sanctions and consequences.

Module 4: Responding to Extreme Behaviour

What is serious or extreme behaviour, de-escalation strategies, physical intervention, sanctions and consequences, resolving behaviour incidents, monitoring or documenting behaviour, behaviour support plans, interventions.

Module 5: Expert Tips and Resources

Supporting yourself and others, self-care, research-based behaviour tips, behaviour audit survey, top tips infographic, challenging behaviour podcast, further reading, behaviour model, downloadable course summary.


The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.


This online course is recommended for professionals who want to have a better understanding of how to respond to the behaviour of the children and young people that they work with. This includes:

  • Teachers and teaching assistants.
  • Childcare workers.
  • Early years professionals.
  • After-school club workers.

This course was created for all ages of children and young people, though some techniques may need to be adjusted to suit your setting and age range.

If you have not taken any training in child protection before, then it's recommended that you also take our Introduction to Safeguarding Children course.

Written by experts

Profile photo of Mike Fleetham, International Learning Designer, Executive Coach and Accredited Workplace Mediator

In partnership with

Mike Fleetham

International Learning Designer and Accredited Workplace Mediator

Mike Fleetham is a ILM-qualified Level 7 executive coach, International Learning Designer and Accredited Workplace Mediator who has over 20 years coaching experience in schools, education and business across the UK and internationally. He uses innovative and evidence-based practice to help organisations become more effective in their work and their learning.

He is also a former assistant headteacher and senior leader who has supported a huge number of schools, head teachers and senior leaders by using his extensive leadership and mentoring experience to help design and implement best practices.

Mike is a published author of a number of books for the education and learning sector and continues his dedication to supporting individuals and organisations by delivering innovative training and coaching people to fulfil their potential.

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