Norfolk Steps

The Steps Graduated Offer of support is a comprehensive and flexible programme, providing schools and settings with the guidance and tools to meet the needs of children and young people (CYP) to promote positive behaviours. The offer is based on three levels of support: universal, targeted, and enhanced. Each level corresponds to the degree of need and intervention required for CYP, from whole-school positive, preventative approaches that draw upon trauma aware approaches to evidence-informed tracking and planning for children and young people with behaviours that challenge and specialist support for children and young people with behaviours that may harm.

Universal

A range of high-quality CPD and resources, supporting the implementation of the Steps Graduated Offer of Support.

• One-minute guides: Signposting to nationally available, accredited CPD and resources that secure compliance with key guidance and legislation.
• Information on whole-school, evidence-based guidance and resources to promote positive behaviours within your school/setting.
• Bite-sized briefings: Providing timely and relevant information and tips on topics such as using Steps to Secure Successful Starts!
• Self-serve resources: Include practical and user-friendly tools that help schools to audit, plan, and deliver an effective provision of Steps, including the promoting positive behaviours toolkit, classroom checklist and learning walk guidance for securing consistency, as well as the Steps self-serve digital CPD modules.
• Our locally delivered in-person CPD: Contextualised and tailored training sessions for new Steps Lead Professionals who are establishing Steps practice within their school/setting (Step On and Step Up) and established Steps Lead Professionals who are embedding effective practice and refreshing their CPD (Next Steps), delivered by our Steps Advisers.

Step On will provide schools/settings with Steps Lead Professional/s that can:

• Develop an extensive understanding of the Step On digital content, including the evidence base behind it to lead provision within your school/setting.
• Embed the Steps principles within school policies and practice, securing a whole-school approach aligned to school culture, vision and values.
• Lead in-person Steps CPD for whole-staff inset, induction etc. to support staff with their learning, as most relevant to the school/setting context, increasing staff knowledge, confidence and skills.
• Develop effective, needs-led positive behaviour plans that are accessible for all staff.
• Guide school/setting staff who require additional support in effectively responding to CYP behaviour.
• Lead risk assessed training in non-restrictive physical intervention.
• Use provided resources to facilitate family learning and support with their child's behaviour to secure consistent strategies for maximum impact.
• Increase inclusive practice so all children and young people can flourish.

Step Up will provide schools/settings with a Steps Lead Professional/s that:

• Have a clear understanding of the legal guidance and framework underpinning the safe use of RPI, so where it is necessary this can be approached with confidence.
• Use the training resources to ensure that any RPI training is planned (wherever possible), monitored and reviewed to safeguard CYP and staff.
• Provide risk assessed restrictive physical intervention (RPI) in your schools delivered by expert, qualified trainers.
• Work towards reducing the need for restrictive physical intervention.
•  Enable all staff to use restorative approaches to repair, restore and improve relationships where restrictive physical intervention has been needed.
• Know how to support staff, fostering wellbeing and resilience, where restrictive physical intervention has been necessary.

Next Steps will refresh the Steps Lead Professional/s, securing certification and building on effective practice to:

• Audit and review effectiveness of current Steps provision throughout the school setting, identifying areas for improvement and providing expert and peer support to meet bespoke needs.
• Provide updated resources, reflecting latest evidence and research to facilitate training for new staff and refresher training for existing staff, ensuring knowledge, skills and confidence.
• Ensure consistent whole-school practice is well embedded throughout the school/setting.
• Ensure that all physical intervention skills are practiced and re-assessed to the highest level.

Find out more, access the universal offer and book your places by following the links, or email queries to sendandinclusiontraining@norfolk.gov.uk

Targeted

The targeted support will provide an opportunity to discuss individual and cohort Steps needs in your setting with a Steps Adviser to secure effective approaches at transition, ensuring needs-led provision is being identified and effectively embedded.

To request targeted support with provision, email inclusionandsend@norfolk.gov.uk.

Enhanced

The enhanced support will provide schools and settings with more in-depth and tailored assistance for children and young people with behaviours that challenge or may risk harm. This includes:

• Step Up:  This can be provided through the Norfolk Steps team where the school/setting does not have their own Step Lead Professional.
• Step Down:  Help and guidance for schools to reduce intensive support, including restrictive physical intervention around specific CYP who have previously required this.
• Support surgeries:Providing needs led advice and guidance when you need it the most.
• Supporting children and young people who present with behaviours that challenge to identify needs and plan provision at pivotal times including reintegration meetings, managed moves and risk of permanent exclusion.