Updated DECEMBER 2023 – Free download of the relationship plan – see the table below (at the bottom of the page)
There is one way to ensure that a relationship support plan doesn’t get read: make it too long. Often, too much general information can make sharing a document unlikely, for fear of data protection issues. For this reason, we will look at one-page relational support plans to help support a young person in the classroom and from a pastoral perspective. An example table at the bottom will provide a possible layout.
The key aspects are time and type of support. Time is divided into two categories: each lesson and each week. Each lesson routine is the domain of the teacher, it should be small and easy to implement. Each week, pastoral support may take longer and have a different focus.
However, before we get to this level of support, we need some basic information to help promote positive behavior in the classroom. Questions or statements such as “What do they find difficult/known triggers?” ”, “What do they like adults to do?” », “What do they not like adults to do”, “The young person wants you to know that…” can help.
We also need a section for social times – what should happen during these times? Another section of this one-page plan is what needs to be reviewed and when – for example risk assessments, other plans, student voice, social time plans, etc.
Finally a section at the bottom to respond to the crisis. Often, an escalation can occur quickly when an adult responds and does not know a young person. Some young people may find this particularly difficult – establishing a ‘team’ of first responders who can be called first (e.g. head of year, mentor, technical assistant, another key member of staff familiar and available at at a given time) will help reduce risks. exclusion of escalation.
This plan is linked to the 4 parts of a relationship support plan – protection/safety, care, understanding and connection.
For me these are linked in this way: Understanding is the foundation of everything – I am creating a Child Informed Planning guide which helps to outline a process for this. Understanding both means what we understand about the young person and how we show it. When we understand a young person, we can understand how to make them feel safe, how to connect with them, and how to maintain that connection over time (care) and show authenticity.
Here is the example plan in table form:
Thanks for reading this guide to writing a one page relationship plan – if you would like more information/form ideas, contact us via the mailing list or Twitter @DanH_9
See below to download the free relationship plan.