Behaviour Intervention Planning

Home Supports: Explanation of Critical Component

School and home are the two living/learning environments that have the greatest potential to maintain or change a child's behaviour.  The Behaviour Intervention Plan largely addresses how the school will utilize resources to help the child in the school environment.&nbsp This is done with full recognition that the home environment is equally important and that supports and services may be required by the home to help parent(s) or guardian(s) provide healthful, nurturing environments where the child can develop new personal and interpersonal skills.  

Sometimes teams use this section to describe how the parent(s) or guardian(s) will support the school (e.g., help the child complete homework, support discipline initiatives, apply consequences for school behaviours).  However, the purpose of this part of the team discussion is not to determine what the parent can do to help the school but to identify what services will assist the parent.  

Schools will often identify the stress that a child with emotional/behavioural disorders can place on a class and on staff.  They indicate that they have the child for six hours a day and that supports are needed to help the child.  The same child is also likely to place a great deal of stress on the family and on the parent(s) or guardian(s).  They have the child for the remaining 18 hours and on weekends.  For this reason it is important that the team support the family in obtaining needed assistance.  This must be done with the utmost respect and understanding.  

At one time, it was quite difficult for teachers to ask for assistance.  They felt this implied they were not doing their jobs.  Some parent(s) and guardians(s) still find it difficult to ask for assistance.  However, many of the natural extended family supports are no longer in place and, just like competent teachers, capable parents(s) and guardians(s) may need help.  Sometimes the whole team takes part in this discussion and sometimes the parent(s) or guardian(s) meet with relevant personnel to discuss these needs in private.

Team Thinking for Sample BIP  Return to Sample BIP