Course overview
Trying the patience of parents is part of a child’s healthy and normal development, it’s a child’s way of practicing their independence. As difficult and frustrating as this may be for parents, these episodes often pass. Distressed behaviour in children is pro-longed and can take many forms – anger, lack of attention, physical and verbal abuse, reluctance to socialise, self-harm and risk of injury to themselves or others. The root of distressed behaviour can be varied, complex and if left unaddressed, can contribute to further mental issues in adolescence.
This course is ideal for those who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of distressed behaviour in children. It’s also valuable for anyone who is planning a career that requires an understanding of distressed behaviour and is looking to gain a qualification in this. The programme is suitable for those who desire to form a foundation due to little or no previous experience of the topic.
*If you have previously completed ‘Behaviour that Challenges in Children’ you will not be eligible for this course.
Course details
- Living in England
- Aged 19 or over from the 31 August 2026 (born before 01 September 2007)
- Not in receipt of any other government-funded training.
- Learners should have a minimum of Level 1 in Literacy and Numeracy or equivalent.
This course is accessed via a learning platform in which learners independently work through the learning materials. There are no classes or timetables to adhere to, and you can make your way through the online course when and where you please. Whether you’re on the go or have a free evening, you can study around your existing commitments, so you don’t have to compromise your routine.
The qualification is assessed by?assignments at the end of each module. The assignments will be designed to?challenge your learning to demonstrate you have met all the learning outcomes.?Each learning outcome must be met to pass this course.?
A dedicated tutor will be marking the assessments and offering feedback and guidance on questions that have not passed. You will have another opportunity to submit these questions to pass the unit. Your tutor is available for email support if you are struggling with the course content and need assistance.
Unit 1: Awareness of distressed behaviour in children
Section 1: Understand what is meant by distressed behaviour
Section 2: Who may experience distressed behaviour
Section 3: How distressed behaviour can be assessed in children
Section 4: The impact distressed behaviour can have
Unit 2: Principles of intervention when working with children who display distressed behaviour
Section 1: Understand strategies that can support children showing distressed behaviour
Section 2: Understand how to record incidents when working with children who display distressed behaviour
Section 3: Understand how to mitigate distressed behaviour in children
Section 4: Understand when physical intervention should be used and the importance of using physical intervention safely when a child is displaying distressed behaviour
Unit 3: Distressed behaviour and mental health in children
Section 1: Understand the characteristics of mental health
Section 2: Understand how to support children with a mental health condition displaying distressed behaviour
Unit 4: Distressed behaviour and learning disabilities in children
Section 1: Understand the characteristics of learning disabilities
Section 2: Understand how to support children with a learning disability displaying distressed behaviour
Unit 5: Distressed behaviour, sensory processing conditions and autism spectrum conditions in children
Section 1: Understand the characteristics of sensory processing conditions and autism spectrum conditions
Section 2: Understand how to support children with an autism spectrum condition or sensory processing condition displaying distressed behaviour
Unit 6: Legislation and guidance for an individual providing support to children displaying distressed behaviour
Section 1: Understand legislation relevant to distressed behaviour in children
Section 2: Understand wider support available when working with children who display distressed behaviour
Section 3: Understand how UK legislation can support the human rights of children who display distressed behaviour
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