Volunteer with us

We are looking for family carers who can help the CBF reach more families of people with severe learning disabilities.

Perhaps your family have benefitted from our work and you’d like to give something back...

...or you may be new to the CBF and looking for something rewarding to get involved with.

You could volunteer for us in these two roles:

Local Champions – you would share our information and resources in your local area, by attending events and joining networks.

This would suit you if you like meeting people, know about what's available in your area or want to link into local groups.

We aim to have a wide network of Local Champions who can spread the CBF’s work to all corners – have a look at our map (right) to see if we need a volunteer in your area. We're focusing on England now, but in the future we hope to spread our reach even wider!

Maureen, who is already a Local Champion for us, said this about one of the events she attended on our behalf:  “I loved running the stall as I felt proud representing the CBF… This also gave me an opportunity to attend the conference which was excellent and very informative.”

Family Link Volunteers – a ‘link’ for family carers, offering them a listening ear from someone who understands.

This rewarding role is for you if you like supporting people and want to have a real positive impact on someone's life.

Caring for someone with severe learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges can be very stressful and isolating, so having someone on the end of the phone offering support can make a huge difference.

Carol describes her experience of this role, “Listening without giving constant advice is a skill I have had to cultivate, and it can be invaluable for someone who is struggling with problems related to challenging behaviour”.

If you are a parent, brother, sister, or other close relative and would like to help, then we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need any specific experience or qualifications, just the experience you have from supporting your family member. We give you a full introduction to the charity and your role at our CBF Essentials and CBF Volunteering events, funded by the Big Lottery.

To volunteer in this project you must live in England. If you live outside England or don't think one of these roles is for you, there are other ways you can help us and you are welcome to get in touch.

To apply to be a Local Champion or Family Link Volunteer please download the application and monitoring forms here.

The next Volunteer Welcome Workshops will be in Leeds on the 5th & 6th of June and the 10th &11th of July. The CBF will cover all your travel and expenses and we can even offer replacement care costs. If you would like to come along to the Leeds Workshops, we need your application and monitoring forms by the 23rd of May. 

If you're not eligible or don't have the time to become a Local Champion or a Family Link volunteer but would still like to help, please have a look at all the other ways you can get involved with the work of the CBF.

You can call 01634 838739 or email our Volunteer Coordinator Holly Butcher at volunteering@thecbf.org.uk for a chat.

'Volunteers are vital to the work of the CBF; we couldn't achieve the things we do without the support of our volunteers, both in the office and around the country' -Holly, Volunteer Coordinator

Current Projects & Consultancy

Consultancy

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation offers consultancy around:

• Understanding challenging behaviour and supporting behaviour change
• Working with families
• Developing individualised services and support
• Recognising good support for individuals

Requests are considered on an individual basis and our ability to offer consultancy may vary depending on other commitments.

Please contact us for more information.

SHIEC

The Sustainable Hub for the Innovative Employment of Individuals with Complex Needs

The ‘Sustainable Hub of Innovative Employment for people with Complex Needs’ (SHIEC) project aims to support genuine paid employment for people with learning disabilities who have additional complex needs. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, those with severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviour and people with learning disabilities and histories of mental health problems or offending behaviour. SHIEC is a hub of individuals and organisations in the South East who are working together to achieve this.

The project aims to identify and support a range of employers to employ adults with learning disabilities and additional complex needs and to utilise existing employment support and pathways and make these work for everyone. A supportive network comprising of provider organisations, educational services, family carers, policy makers and academics meet on a regular basis to develop and share materials and to discuss progress, barriers and solutions regarding pathways to employment for people with complex needs. 

To date, SHIEC are working with 36 people across the UK, all of whom now have completed vocational profiles. Of these, 7 people are in paid employment and 6 have engaged in voluntary placements.

SHIEC aims to use the learning from the project, developing materials and resources which can be used in future to ensure sustainability of the pathways to employment for people with complex needs.

Willy Wall

Project Manager

For more information contact willywally@jtn.com

Family Support Service

What we do

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation offers a telephone (0845 602 7885) and email (support@thecbf) support service  to family carers and professionals caring for children and adults with severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.

What we offer                                          

We offer a non-judgemental, individual telephone and email support service. A Family Support worker can offer emotional support to family carers and empower carers by giving them relevant information about a number of issues. Our support service specialises in challenging behaviour and severe learning disabilities.                           

We can also give general information about: Adult Social Care, Education, Exclusion, Funding, Health, Mental Capacity Act/DOLS, Mental Health, Physical Intervention, Safeguarding,  Short breaks, Training, Transition. The CBF has a range of information sheets and DVD resources that can be offered as additional support. The resources are free of charge to family carers within the UK.

Who we can help                                

The telephone and email support service offered by the CBF is primarily aimed at family carers who have a relative with severe learning disabilities who display challenging behaviour. While anyone with a learning disability may at times display challenging behaviour the work of the CBF is primarily aimed at helping those with severe learning disabilities. A severe learning   disability is a developmental disability and refers to individuals who have  either no speech or limited communication, a significantly reduced ability to learn new skills and  require support with daily living skills such as dressing and eating.

Please note as a small charity with limited resources we are unable to offer support to families who are experiencing challenging behaviour associated with Asperger’s Syndrome, high-functioning autism, ADHD (without a  severe learning disability), dementia, brain injury etc.

Response times

Please be aware that we are a very small charity and we only have one Family Support Worker answering enquiries each day. We aim to respond as quickly as we can, but this may at times take up to 10 working days. We will answer crisis calls as soon as possible.

Confidentiality

No infomation regarding a client of the CBF will be given to a third party, except where the safety or wellbeing of an individual is at risk or following a terroist related call.

To see the CBF's full confidentiality policy click here.

We are the charity for people with severe learning disabilitieswhose behaviour challenges. We’re making a difference to the lives of children and adults across the UK through:

• information about challenging behaviour
• peer support for family carers and professionals
• supporting families by phone or email
• running workshops to reduce challenging behaviour
• speaking up for families nationally

Our vision is for anyone with severe learning disabilities who displays challenging behaviour to have the same life opportunities as everyone else. 

We work to improve understanding of challenging behaviour, empower families with information and support, a

Ways to Get Involved with the CB-NSG

The Challenging Behaviour – National Strategy Group (CB-NSG) was set up to enable a range of individuals and organisations to work together to improve the lives of individuals with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging and their family carers. The group meets twice a year and aims to strategically influence by gathering evidence, sharing research and raising awareness.

There are a number of ways you can get involved with the CB-NSG:

• Become a core or associate member of the CB-NSG.Click here for further information
• Volunteer to complete work from our action plans. Email nationalstrategygroup@thecbf.org.uk for more information
• Sign up to the CB-NSG charter
• Ask your networks, friends & families to sign up to the charter
• Donate to help fund our work

Alternatively if there is another way you would like to support the CB-NSG, please contact us.

E-mail: nationalstrategygroup@thecbf.org.uk

Post: CB-NSG, Challenging Behaviour Foundation, The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE

Tel: 01634 838739

Download a Charter and sign up form

Application to join the Challenging Behaviour – National Strategy Group

Personal details
Name of Applicant


Job title (if
applicable)

Employer (if
applicable)

Contact details

E-mail


Telephone number


Postal address


Please tell us a bit
about your
background
(continue on a
separate sheet if
necessary)










Please tell us what
contribution you
feel you can make
to the National
Strategy Group
(continue on a
separate sheet if
necessary)










Please confirm this
application is
supported by your
line manager or
organisation
(where applicable)

Please tell us
about the contact
you have with
other organisation
and networks

Please return to: nationalstrategygroup@thecbf.org.uk or Challenging Behaviour – National Strategy
Group, Challenging Behaviour Foundation, New Road Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6BE.

CB-NSG Membership Information

The Challenging Behaviour – National Strategy Group (CB-NSG) was formed by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation in 2008.

There are two types of membership:

Associate membership

• Associate members receive information from the group circulated by email
• Associate members can input to the work of the group via telephone, post, email and the CBF website.
• Associate membership is welcome to all. No application is required.

To join the CB-NSG as an associate member e-mail: nationalstrategygroup@thecbf.org.uk or Tel: 01634 838739 with your request to become an associate member (application form not required).

Core membership

• Core members are representative of all key stakeholders. Membership is restricted to keep the group to a manageable size whilst ensuring key stakeholders from across the UK are engaged with the group.
• Core members are active and committed to the work of the CB-NSG, they attend 2 national meetings a year and contribute to the work of the group via e-mail in between meetings
• Core members who are unable to attend meetings are expected to nominate an appropriate deputy to attend on their behalf, where possible (the deputy will revert to associate membership after the meeting).
• Core members develop work plans, contribute to delivery and have capacity (and if applicable) support from line management/organisation.
• A completed application form is required
• Core members disseminate information to their networks and contacts

To see a full list of core members, click here

Please note that due to a large number of applications from provider organisations a review of all provider members was carried out following which all providers were given the opportunity to apply for a place. Details of this were circulated to our networks and placed on our website. In January 2014 three umbrella organisations and two individual providers were offered places as core members on a fixed 2 year basis. New applications from providers will not be considered until January 2016. Organisations that are not service providers, and individuals e.g. family carers, are welcome to apply at any time. 

Application process for new core members

1. Any person nominated by a core CB-NSG member or any person who nominates themselves to join as a core member will be asked to complete a membership application form. To download an application form click here

2. The form should be returned to:

E-mail: nationalstrategygroup@thecbf.co.uk

Post: Challenging Behaviour – National Strategy Group (CB-NSG), Challenging Behaviour Foundation, The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6BE.

3. Once an application has been received it will be held by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation until the next steering group meeting. Meeting dates are available here

4. The Steering Group will review the application and current CB-NSG membership. They may also contact other members of the National Strategy Group who share a similar background in order to reach a decision.

5. The applicant will be informed of the decision as soon as possible after the meeting.

6. If the application is turned down, the applicant will be offered the opportunity to be an associate member and be provided with contact details of a core member who shares their area of expertise.

7. The steering group reserves the right to invite people, including existing associate members, who they feel will fill gaps in experience or expertise which will benefit the National Strategy Group.

8. The membership process will be reviewed as necessary.

9.Please note that new applications from provider organisations will not be considered until January 2016.

“I was at an assessment and
treatment unit for about 12
years. It was not nice being
there. Now I’m in my own home
and I am much happier”
Michael, Out of Sight
CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR NATIONAL STRATEGY GROUP
The Challenging
Behaviour Charter
Mendonça 2010“Our job is not to fix
people but to design
effective environments”
(Rob Horner)
Introduction
This charter, concerning the needs of individuals with learning disabilities who
are perceived as challenging to services and others, was compiled in 2008
and published in 2009. Since then many individuals and organisations have
signed up to the charter. You can find out who they are on the Challenging
Behaviour Foundation website www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk . Following the
Panorama programmes on the Winterbourne View abuses and reports flowing from
that, we are republishing this charter in 2013. There is still so much to be done.
Challenging behaviour is often perceived as a ‘problem’ or ‘illness’ to be ‘treated’,
‘cured’ or ‘stopped’. The problem is seen as being part of the person rather than
focussing on what needs to change around the person, such as their environment
or how people support them. This is unhelpful and potentially damaging for these
individuals. We need to look beyond the behaviour, understand what the behaviour
is communicating and then provide appropriate person centred, holistic support
to enable individuals to achieve their full potential.
We know that much better support and services could be provided for children
and adults who are perceived as challenging. This charter sets out the rights of
these individuals and the action that needs to be taken.
By signing up to this charter you endorse the rights of these individuals
and commit to working in partnership with the National Strategy Group to
influence real change.
In this charter we are adopting the following
definition: “Behaviour can be described as challenging
when it is of such an intensity, frequency,
or duration as to threaten the quality of life
and/or the physical safety of the individual
or others and it is likely to lead to responses
that are restrictive, aversive or result in
exclusion”.
(Challenging behaviour – a unified approach;
RCPsych, BPS, RCSLT, 2007)
The charter is a living document and we are happy
to receive comments and views.1) People will be supported to exercise their human rights (which are the
same as everyone else’s) to be healthy, full and valued members of their
community with respect for their culture, ethnic origin, religion, age,
gender, sexuality and disability.
2) All children who are at risk of presenting behavioural challenges have
the right to have their needs identified at an early stage, leading to
co-ordinated early intervention and support.
3) All families have the right to be supported to maintain the physical and
emotional wellbeing of the family unit.
4) All individuals have the right to receive person centred support and
services that are developed on the basis of a detailed understanding of
their support needs including their communication needs. This will be
individually-tailored, flexible, responsive to changes in individual
circumstances and delivered in the most appropriate local situation.
5) People have the right to a healthy life, and be given the appropriate
support to achieve this.
6) People have the same rights as everyone else to a family and social life,
relationships, housing, education, employment and leisure.
7) People have the right to supports and services that create capable
environments. These should be developed on the principles of positive
behavioural support and other evidence based approaches. They should
also draw from additional specialist input as needed and respond to all
the needs of the individual.
8) People have the right not to be hurt or damaged or humiliated in any way
by interventions. Support and services must strive to achieve this.
9) People have the right to receive support and care based on good and up
to date evidence.
Rights and Values:1) Children’s and adults’ services will construct long term collaborative plans across
education, social and health services and jointly develop and commission support
and services to meet the needs of children and adults with learning disabilities,
their families and carers.
2) Local Authorities and the NHS will develop and co-ordinate plans to:
 Reduce the exposure of young children with learning disabilities to
environmental conditions that may lead to behavioural challenges.
 Promote the resilience of young children with learning disabilities who face
such environmental conditions.
 Provide early intervention, support and services that will meet the individual
needs (including communication needs) of young children who are showing early
signs of developing behavioural challenges.
3) Active listening to the needs of the family will lead to the provision of
appropriate and timely support, information and training.
4) People will be supported to have a good quality of life by individuals with the right
values, attitudes, training and experience.
5) The NHS and services will proactively plan to ensure that people receive the same
range, quality and standard of healthcare as everyone else, making reasonable
adjustments when required. People will have an individualised health action plan
and be supported to have access to annual health checks to ensure all health
needs are met.
6) People and their family carers will receive support and services that are timely,
safe, of good quality, co-ordinated and seamless. They will be proactively involved
in the planning, commissioning and monitoring of support and services including
both specialist and general services.
7) A person-centred approach that enables and manages the taking of risk will be
used to ensure that people have access to family and social life, relationships,
housing, education, employment and leisure.
8) Local authorities and the NHS will know how many children and adults live in their
area and how many they have placed out of area. On the basis of information from
person-centred plans all agencies will plan and deliver local support and services.
9) Services will seek to reduce the use of physical intervention, seclusion, mechanical
restraint and the inappropriate or harmful use of medication with the clear aim of
eliminating them for each individual.
10) All services and agencies will strive to improve continually, using up to date
evidence to provide the best support, care and treatment to deliver positive
outcomes for individuals.
Action to be taken: