3.1. Explain proactive and reactive strategies when promoting positive behaviour

This guide will help you answer 3.1. Explain proactive and reactive strategies when promoting positive behaviour.

Promoting positive behaviour in health and social care settings needs thought, planning, and awareness of the people you support. The aim is to create an environment that encourages and rewards positive actions while reducing the likelihood of challenging behaviour. This involves using a mix of proactive and reactive strategies.

Proactive strategies focus on preventing problems before they start. They are about setting up the right conditions to support good behaviour. Reactive strategies are responses to behaviour that has already occurred. They focus on managing situations safely and respectfully after challenging behaviour has arisen.

Both methods are important. Used together, they help create a setting where individuals feel supported, respected, and able to develop.

Proactive Strategies

Proactive strategies aim to reduce the risk of challenging behaviour by putting preventative measures in place. These measures focus on meeting needs, creating supportive environments, and teaching skills to encourage positive choices.

Key features of proactive strategies:

• Anticipate triggers before they happen
• Encourage and reward progress and good choices
• Provide clear guidelines and expectations
• Involve the person in decisions about their care and activities

Building Positive Relationships

Good relationships are the foundation of positive behaviour. When people feel respected and listened to, they are more likely to cooperate and engage.

Ways to build positive relationships include:

• Taking time to learn about the person’s interests and preferences
• Speaking in a calm, respectful tone
• Showing empathy and understanding when they express feelings
• Being consistent with your approach

Clear Communication

Many incidents of challenging behaviour occur when there is confusion or misunderstanding. Using clear language, avoiding jargon, and checking for understanding can help.

Strategies include:

• Using visual aids or gestures alongside speech
• Breaking down instructions into small, clear steps
• Using a consistent set of words for regular routines or activities

Structured Routines

Predictable routines make people feel safe and secure. Consistency helps reduce anxiety and builds confidence.

Methods to put this in place:

• Keeping activities at similar times each day
• Giving advanced notice of any changes to routines
• Offering visual timetables for those who benefit from seeing what will happen next

Meeting Individual Needs

Many challenging behaviours stem from unmet emotional, sensory, or physical needs. Assessing these needs and meeting them reduces frustration.

Examples:

• Providing quiet spaces for those who are sensitive to noise
• Offering support for personal care so the person feels comfortable
• Providing activities that match skill levels to avoid boredom or feelings of failure

Encouraging Self-Management Skills

Teaching skills to help a person manage their own emotions and behaviour gives them more independence and control.

Skills may include:

• Calm breathing techniques
• Recognising signs of rising anxiety
• Using a quiet break as a coping tool
• Practising problem-solving

Positive Reinforcement

This means recognising and rewarding positive behaviour, so it is more likely to happen again.

Examples include:

• Giving praise for effort and not just results
• Providing extra activity time when behaviour targets are met
• Using reward charts or tokens for younger individuals or those who respond well to visual progress tracking

Reactive Strategies

Reactive strategies focus on responding to behaviour that is already happening. The goal is to protect everyone’s safety, reduce the intensity of the incident, and return to a calm state as quickly as possible. These strategies should always be respectful and in line with policies, training, and laws.

Reactive approaches are not about punishment but about managing a situation safely and effectively.

Staying Calm

Your behaviour influences the other person’s response. By staying calm, speaking steadily, and avoiding escalating the situation, you can help the person regain control.

Tactics include:

• Keeping a safe distance
• Speaking slowly and clearly
• Avoiding sudden movements

De-escalation Techniques

De-escalation means reducing the level of tension in a situation so that the behaviour does not worsen.

Examples:

• Acknowledging the person’s feelings
• Offering choices to give them a sense of control
• Removing triggers if safe to do so
• Using distraction, such as suggesting an alternative activity

Removing the Audience

Some individuals act out more when others are present, so moving them to a quiet area can reduce the behaviour.

Approach:

• Ask them to come with you to a private place to talk
• Keep the move calm and respectful
• Avoid making it feel like a punishment

Time-Out or Withdrawal

In some care plans, allowing a person time away from a situation helps them calm down. This must be used correctly and in a way that is agreed upon beforehand.

Steps include:

• Agreeing the process with the person in advance if possible
• Ensuring they feel safe in the space
• Bringing them back into activities once they are ready

Physical Intervention

Physical intervention should only be used as a last resort when there is a clear and immediate risk of harm to the person or others, and when all other strategies have failed. Staff must be trained and follow legal and organisational rules.

Points to remember:

• Always prioritise safety
• Use the least force for the shortest time possible
• Record and review the incident afterwards

Aftercare Following an Incident

When an incident happens, the follow-up is just as important as dealing with the moment itself.

Good aftercare includes:

• Listening to the person’s view of what happened
• Supporting them to re-join activities
• Completing reports and reflection with staff involved
• Adjusting care plans if new triggers are identified

Combining Proactive and Reactive Strategies

In practice, proactive and reactive strategies work together. Proactive work should be the main focus, with reactive strategies only used when needed.

By tracking behaviour patterns, staff can reduce the need for reactive responses. This involves recording triggers, reviewing incidents, and adjusting proactive measures.

An example:

• A resident in a care home becomes aggressive when their meal is late.
• Proactive change: meals are served at the same time every day.
• Reactive plan: if the meal is late, staff provide a small snack and explain the delay, reducing frustration.

Respect and Dignity in All Strategies

Whether a plan is proactive or reactive, dignity and respect must be maintained. The person should be treated as an individual, with choices, rights, and feelings that matter.

Good practice methods include:

• Using the person’s name
• Avoiding labels such as “difficult” or “aggressive”
• Speaking with them, not about them in their presence
• Respecting privacy during interventions

Recording and Monitoring

Both proactive and reactive strategies should be recorded. This creates a clear picture of what works and what does not, and supports consistent care among staff.

Records should include:

• Description of the behaviour
• What happened before, during, and after
• What strategies were used
• Outcomes and follow-up actions

By monitoring patterns, teams can adapt proactive plans to prevent future problems.

Care Planning Support

Care and support plans should outline both proactive and reactive strategies agreed upon for each individual. This means staff have clear guidance and the person receives consistent support.

Plans should include:

• Known triggers
• Preferred proactive approaches
• Agreed de-escalation methods
• Steps to take after incidents

Regular reviews keep plans effective and relevant.

Training and Team Approach

Staff training is important for both proactive and reactive methods. Workers need skills in communication, de-escalation, recognising triggers, and safe handling techniques.

A team approach helps by:

• Sharing information between staff members
• Keeping responses consistent
• Supporting each other after challenging incidents

Positive Environment

The setting itself plays a role in behaviour. A calm, safe, and engaging space can reduce agitation and encourage participation.

Ideas include:

• Comfortable seating areas
• Access to outdoor spaces
• Activity options that match different skill levels
• Low noise levels when possible

Individual Choice and Control

Giving individuals a say in their daily life encourages positive engagement and reduces power struggles.

Ways of promoting choice include:

• Offering two or three activity options
• Letting them choose where to sit during meals
• Allowing input into their care plan

Involving Families and Advocates

Family members and advocates can provide insight into preferred proactive strategies and triggers. Involving them helps create a more personalised plan.

This can involve:

• Regular meetings to share updates
• Asking for ideas that have worked at home
• Including them in post-incident reviews when appropriate

Final Thoughts

Proactive strategies are about preventing issues and building an environment where positive behaviour is encouraged and supported. They work by meeting needs, setting clear expectations, and building relationships based on respect and trust.

Reactive strategies focus on managing behaviours that have already happened, keeping everyone safe, and helping the person return to a calm state. These should be used as little as possible and always in a safe and respectful way.

Both approaches work best when they are linked together. Proactive planning should reduce the need for reactive measures. Recording and reviewing incidents helps to improve future planning. A respectful, person-centred approach will always bring the best results, supporting individuals to live with dignity and independence while promoting a positive climate in care settings.