Leap of Faith

This is my first blog as Reach Behaviour, in fact it is my first blog ever.  What do I write?  What do I want to say?  

Claire and I have made the decision to set up our own company but to continue the work we have been doing for so many years supporting children who are presenting with challenging behaviour and to help them learn new ways of dealing with difficult emotions.  Many school staff and parents will already know us as we have been working in mainstream primary schools in Lancashire for many (too many to mention) years.  It is a new adventure for us both which is exciting but also very daunting at the same time.

We have both worked together in many capacities and are work colleagues but now also very good friends. We have taken the leap of faith together because we know each other so well and have similar values and beliefs.  We shared a class while our children were younger, and we have worked together on the outreach team at Golden Hill setting it up and leading the development of the team.  We know we can do a good job and will be able to offer much needed support to children, their families and school staff.

Since 2019, we have been working successfully in mainstream schools as a traded outreach team for Golden Hill, and we are now just taking the next step and setting up as our own company.

We have built trusting positive relationships with many schools, and we are looking forward to being creative and imaginative in the way we work moving forward.  Schools have evolved and developed over the years I have been doing this job and they have learnt to devise good policies and processes that support the majority of children in their schools.  Sometimes, there is a child or a cohort of children who do not fit into the systems that are in place and that is where we can help.  We are in the luxurious position of being able to observe, gather information, ask questions and work with families and staff to find the reasons that may be underlying the behaviour.  What I love about my job is that there is never one quick answer that can be used for all children.  We as humans are unique and so we have to work out what will work for that child or that group of children within the context of the setting at that particular time. It can be frustrating at times, but it is so rewarding when success is achieved.  I have so much passion for the work I do, and this has never wavered over the years.  I believe that every child can be supported to achieve their full potential (whatever that may be) but some children may need more help than others for a while and I enjoy giving that support.