Support in schools for pupils with social behaviour difficulties
When rules are repeatedly broken, conflicts escalate quickly and everyday school life becomes a strain for everyone involved, this is rarely down to ill will – but rather a child who needs support. A school support worker takes the pressure off tense situations, helps the child manage strong emotions and builds the kind of reliable relationship that makes new behaviour possible in the first place. Our guiding principle: as much support as necessary, as little as possible.
How social behaviour difficulties manifest themselves in everyday school life
The signs are often visible, but they affect the child just as much as those around them.
- Repeated breaches of rules: Agreements and school rules are repeatedly broken, even when the child is aware of them.
- Aggression and outbursts of anger: Tension is vented loudly, physically or verbally – sometimes seemingly out of the blue.
- Conflicts with classmates and teachers: Friction, provocations and arguments become more frequent and put a strain on the class community.
- Difficulty accepting boundaries: A ‘no’ or a request triggers resistance rather than compliance.
- Rapid escalation: Minor incidents quickly escalate into major conflicts before the child can take action to defuse the situation.
How our support helps
We do not rely on punishments, but rather on defusing escalation at an early stage and establishing viable alternatives.
- Taking the pressure off and de-escalating: We recognise tension early on and respond calmly, rather than fuelling conflicts → Low-arousal & de-escalation
- Practising emotional regulation: Your child learns, step by step, to recognise strong emotions and manage them more effectively → Emotional regulation
- A strong relationship as a foundation: Reliability and genuine interest build the trust on which change is based.
- Cooperation rather than confrontation: Where appropriate, we work with the child to find solutions, rather than simply suppressing behaviour → Cooperation
- Independence as the goal: We withdraw our support as soon as your child no longer needs it.
Legal basis & application
If participation in lessons is impaired by a mental disability, or if such an impairment is imminent, a school support service may be considered as an integration support measure under Section 35a of SGB VIII via the Youth Welfare Office. The relevant funding body will assess whether the criteria are met in each individual case – we will guide you through the entire process.
Qualifications of our support workers
Our support workers undergo a multi-stage selection process and are trained at our own Splash Academy. When supporting children with social behaviour difficulties, we place particular emphasis on de-escalation, a calm approach to conflict situations and building sustainable relationships. This means your child is in experienced hands right from the start.
Frequently asked questions
Will my child be ‘punished’ or monitored as a result of the school support?
No. Our support is intended as assistance, not supervision. We help your child to cope with situations differently, rather than penalising their behaviour.
What happens if my child becomes aggressive?
We focus on early de-escalation: recognising tension early on, staying calm and finding safe ways out of the situation. The aim is to prevent escalation from arising in the first place.
Do you also provide support at mainstream schools?
Yes. We work in both mainstream and special schools and coordinate closely with teachers and parents.
How long does it take to see a change?
This varies from child to child. Change requires trust and time – we work patiently and withdraw our support as soon as it is no longer needed.
Who covers the costs?
In the case of a mental disability, the Youth Welfare Office is often the funding body. The decision is made by the funding body on a case-by-case basis – we’ll help you with the application and supporting documentation.
Let’s talk about your child
In a free initial consultation, we’ll discuss your needs, the application process and the next steps – with no obligation.
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Our own Splash Academy · Multi-stage selection process · Support at mainstream and special schools
This page is for information purposes only and does not replace medical or legal advice. The decision as to whether school support is suitable and eligible for funding is made by the relevant funding body on a case-by-case basis.