Mission:
The Behaviour Analysis In Schools SIG aims to be a group that promotes the development of high standards of practise in the application of behaviour analytic principles in schools in the UK. Our mission includes:
- Promoting a network for professionals and practitioners in both behaviour analysis and school settings
- Promoting knowledge and understanding of behaviour analytic approaches within all school contexts (i.e., both mainstream settings and those supporting learners with additional needs)
- Supporting existing and emerging schools and units to include behaviour analytic practices (e.g., Functional Behaviour Assessments, School Wide Positive Behaviour Support, Precision Teaching, and classroom management strategies)
- Promoting and generating new research within school settings
- Contributing to the development of standards for behaviour analytic service delivery and accreditation within schools
Our mission links directly with the mission and objectives of UK-SBA across four key domains:
- Promoting the recognition of behaviour analysis as a scientific approach in all school settings
- Contributing to the development of standards in education, training and experience in the principles, practice and skills of behaviour analysts
- Communicating and sharing information about behaviour analysis to other educational providers
- Promoting and generating new research
Specific Aims:
We facilitate four meetings per year with SIG members alongside a free CEU event. Members put forward ideas around key topics of interest to support both practitioners and school settings. The meetings are then separated out for Heads of Schools and practitioners.
The Vision
The primary vision of the Behaviour Analysis In Schools SIG is to expand our network of professionals working in the field of behaviour analysis across a range of education settings. As such, the SIG aims to promote best practice and outcomes for children and young people in education settings in receipt of behaviour analytic services.
How do I join the BAiS SIG?
You need to be a member of UK-SBA in order to join the BAiS SIG. You can be a UKBA(cert), aUKBA(cert), practicing member or a student member. If you are working within a school setting then please apply to join the SIG using your work email address. You can request to join by emailing the Chairs of the group ([email protected]). If you are working independently as a behaviour analyst within school settings, and do not have a school email address, then please email including your reason for requesting to join. If you are a student member of UK-SBA and are interested in joining this SIG then you can request to join with a recommendation from your supervisor.
For more information:
Please contact the Chairs of the BA In Schools SIG, Emma Hawkins and Victoria Markham:
Latest Meetings Minutes
Date of Meetings: Tuesday 16 May 2023
Venue: Microsoft Teams
Heads of Services Meeting
Attendance: Seven different services were represented in the meeting. 9 professionals attended the meeting.
Discussions:
- The meeting was co-chaired by Emma Hawkins, Director of Education at Jigsaw School, and Emily Groves, Lecturer at the University of South Wales.
- Apologies were received from 3 settings who were all mid-Ofsted inspection this week.
- Attendees were reminded that they need to be members of UK-SBA to be part of this SIG. Different membership options were discussed.
- There was a discussion about the UKBA(Cert) qualification and the BCBA qualification. The importance of supporting UK-SBA and becoming a UKBA(Cert) was highlighted
- Topic for discussion: Positive handling & restrictive practices. A discussion took place regarding the strategies each setting uses and the pros and cons of each. Procedures for recording the details of interventions were also compared.
- Topic for discussion: Measuring pupil progress. Comparisons were made across the different settings
- Next meeting on Tuesday 26 September 2023 will cover accreditation.
Practitioners Meeting:
Attendance: Six different services were represented in the meeting. 10 professionals attended the meeting.
Discussions:
1/ The meeting was co-chaired by Emma Hawkins, Director of Education at Jigsaw School, and Emily Groves, Lecturer at the University of South Wales.
2/ Apologies were received from 3 settings who were all mid-Ofsted inspection this week.
3/ Attendees were reminded that they need to be members of UK-SBA to be part of this SIG. Different membership options were discussed. Agreed that student members could join this SIG to support them with building up a professional network of behaviour analysts working in school settings.
4/ Topic for discussion: Subject development – Maths & Numeracy. Comparisons were made across the different settings. White Rose is used by some settings. Also discussed TEN-D (Teaching Early Numeracy to Children with Developmental Disabilities).
5/ Topic for discussion: Monitoring how staff implement behaviour support plans and teaching. Again, comparisons were made across different settings. Discussed behavioural skills training, the performance diagnostic checklist along with observations and role play.
6/ Agreed to start next meeting on Tuesday 26 September 2023 with attendees spending some time talking about their different settings and the roles for behaviour analysts within these settings.
Next Meeting:
Tuesday 26 September 2023 1.30-2.30pm (Heads of Services) and 2.30-3.30pm (Practitioners) followed by a CEU event 3.45-4.45pm on ‘Using Behavioural Contracting to Reduce Behaviours that Challenge in Schools’ presented by Emma Hawkins, PhD, UKBA(cert), BCBA (Director of Education at Jigsaw CABAS School).