School Support / Advice & next steps
Behaviour concerns and SEND
It is difficult when your child’s behaviour in school is a cause for concern. Viewing these moments as signs of unmet needs can help move the conversation from discipline to support.
Quick answer
Behaviour concerns may relate to unmet SEND, but they can also involve health, relationships, environment, safeguarding or learned patterns. Describe the behaviour and context precisely, include the child’s perspective and assess what happens before and after it before deciding on support.
What this means
Ask whether tasks are accessible, communication is understood, sensory and regulation needs are supported and reasonable adjustments are in place. Review sanctions for patterns and unintended impact. A support plan should include prevention, teaching, safe adult responses and review—not only consequences.
This means identifying triggers. Is the work too hard? Is the environment too loud? Is the social demand too high? The answer changes the solution.
A behaviour plan should focus on teaching new skills and reducing stress, rather than simply enforcing consequences that may not address the root cause.
Questions to ask
What happens before the behaviour? • Were support and adjustments available? • What will adults change to prevent recurrence?
Local Northamptonshire route
The school leads the immediate plan. North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire provide separate Local Offer and SENDIASS information. Formal exclusions or disability-discrimination concerns may need current specialist advice.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Free SENDIASS or IPSEA information may help. Specialist assessment is useful where there is a clear communication, learning, sensory or emotional question. Paid support is optional.
What happens next?
Review changes in access, safety and regulation. If the same incidents continue, reassess needs and environment rather than simply increasing sanctions.
Support that may help
School SENCO, Pastoral Lead, Educational Psychologist, SENDIASS.
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.