Promoting Positive Relationships

Promoting Positive Relationships at Riverside School

Unconditional Positive Regard • Children’s Rights • Safety and Care

At Riverside School, positive relationships sit at the heart of everything we do.

We believe that every young person deserves to feel safe, valued, respected and understood. Our school ethos is built on Unconditional Positive Regard - recognising each child’s worth, strengths and potential, even when they are finding things difficult.

We also actively promote children’s rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Adults work alongside young people to help them understand their rights and respect the rights of others, creating a culture of care, dignity and inclusion.

The smooth running of Riverside School relies on high standards of respectful behaviour from everyone within our community. We greatly value the support of parents and carers in helping us nurture these positive relationships.

Positive behaviour, kindness and effort are recognised and celebrated throughout the school, helping every young person feel proud of their achievements and contributions.

When additional support is needed, we always work in partnership with families to ensure the best possible outcomes for our pupils.

Our Approach to Support: Safety, Connection and Care

At Riverside, we understand that behaviour is communication.

When a young person is struggling, it is often a sign they need support, understanding and reassurance.

To ensure our school remains a safe and nurturing environment, we use a whole-school approach rooted in Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) strategies and trauma-informed practice.

The CPI Framework – Safety with Dignity

All Riverside staff are trained in approaches from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).

This internationally recognised framework focuses on the:

Care, Welfare, Safety and Security of everyone in our school community.

Our approach includes:

De-escalation First

We prioritise early support using calm verbal and non-verbal strategies, recognising signs of distress before situations escalate.

Unconditional Positive Regard

We maintain a consistent, warm and supportive stance, understanding that every young person is doing the best they can with the skills they currently have.

Restorative Practice

After any incident, we focus on repairing relationships, reflecting together and moving forward positively - rather than simply applying consequences.

Trauma-Informed Care and Understanding ACEs

We recognise that some young people may have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or have additional emotional and sensory needs that affect regulation.

Riverside is committed to being a Trauma-Informed School, built on:

Safety

Creating calm, predictable environments where pupils feel physically and emotionally secure.

Trust

Developing reliable, caring relationships between staff and young people.

Choice

Giving pupils a voice in their support and helping them feel empowered.

Collaboration

Working closely with families and professionals through a “Team Around the Child” approach.