Behaviour Analysis in Schools SIG

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 three 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), UKiBA, 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 Co- Chairs of the BA In Schools SIG, Emma Hawkins and Maddie Belesimo :

[email protected]

 

Latest Meetings Minutes

Latest Meeting Minutes:

Date of Meeting: Tuesday 23 June 2026

Venue: Microsoft Teams

 

Heads of Services Meeting

Representatives from four services attended the meeting, with a total of six professionals present.

The meeting was chaired by Emma Hawkins, Director of Education at Jigsaw School.

Discussions:

  1. Each attendee provided an update on developments within their respective service.
  2. The group discussed the new Ofsted framework, including experiences of its implementation in practice.
  3. Feedback was shared from the recent Allied Health Professional Forum held at Jigsaw School on 4 June 2026.
  4. Each service presented an overview of its careers provision, including Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG).
  5. Services outlined how their procedures have been updated in line with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance (April 2026) on recording and reporting significant incidents involving the use of force, seclusion or restraint.
  6. Meeting dates for the 2026–27 academic year were agreed as follows: Tuesday 3 November 2026, Tuesday 2 March 2027, and Tuesday 15 June 2027.

 

Practitioners Meeting:

Six services were represented at the meeting, with a total of eleven professionals in attendance.

The meeting was chaired by Emma Hawkins, Director of Education at Jigsaw School.

Discussions:

  1. General updates from the UK-SBA were shared (via the annual conference and recent communications):
  • The UKvBA (vocational level) is due to be launched imminently.
  • A new UK-SBA website is expected to be launched shortly.
  • Dates have been confirmed for the November 2026 online speaker series (18–19 November), featuring presentations from Cody Morris, Devon Ramey, Rachael Emery and Jeridith Lord. A total of 12 APDs will be available, and registration is now open.
  • Two updates have been made to the UK-SBA Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct:
    • Item 4.3 has been revised to emphasise that while data is critical to practice, graphical displays are not the only valid form of analysis. Registrants are expected to select the most appropriate method for their context.
    • Item 8.6 has been updated from a prohibition on sharing identifying information about clients and supervisees to a requirement to obtain appropriate written consent. Any such sharing must comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
  1. The group discussed the terms “appropriate” and “inappropriate” behaviour, including their suitability and application in practice.
  2. There was a discussion on assent-based learning and managing unsafe behaviours, including how to support staff in prioritising safety within an assent-based care framework.
  3. Meeting dates for the 2026–27 academic year were confirmed as: Tuesday 3 November 2026, Tuesday 2 March 2027, and Tuesday 15 June 2027.
  4. Any Other Business (AOB):
    The special issue of the Tizard Learning Disability Review marking 25 years of Jigsaw School was noted. A paper on neurodiversity-affirming practice within ABA schools, authored by Emma Hawkins and Kate Grant, is due to be published in this edition.

CEU Event

Gemma Reeder, UKBA(cert) and Amy Wilkinson, UKBA(cert) presented on ‘A comparison of a gestural prompts and a teacher model on the acquisition of daily living skills’ (based on their recent publication in the Tizard Learning Disability Review: https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-11-2025-0072)

 

Next meeting:

Tuesday 3 November 2026 1.30-2.30pm (Heads of Services) and 2.30-3.30pm (Practitioners) followed by a CEU event (presentation by Olivia Kurzeja (Step by Step School) or Kate Hewett (Jigsaw School)) 3.45-4.45pm.

 

Return to main SIG page