THE LEAD BEHAVIOUR PROFESSIONAL (LBP)
The LBP Role in Schools
The LBP role in Primary and Secondary schools
In most cases the Lead Behaviour Professional (LBP) is one member of the School Leadership Team. The role however may be shared between the senior staff. Many LBPs have other senior responsibilities, often within pastoral care or an Inclusion Manager with oversight of Special Needs and other services.
The title originates from the Behaviour Improvement Programme. Both primary and secondary Behaviour Improvement Programme schools have LBPs and there are growing numbers outside Behaviour Improvement Programmes including most schools in the Primary National Strategy Behaviour and Attendance pilot. Evaluation reports highlight the impact of the LBP role as a key factor in schools which have improved behaviour and attendance.
The cost of a LBP depends on whether or not all the responsibilities of the role are currently allocated in the school. In some cases re-organising of existing roles and responsibilities is all that is required. In most cases schools use the opportunity of appointing an LBP to re-organise Senior Leadership responsibilities and promote staff with talent in behaviour and attendance leadership. In these circumstances a Lead Behaviour Professional costs approximately £15,000 which is the cost of replacing half a timetable and offering salary enhancement.
Lead Behaviour Professional responsibilities
LBPs are not the 'discipline deputy head'. Their role is not to deal with pupils sent out of the classroom or truants. Instead they work with colleagues in the classroom to improve behaviour and attendance management skills and reduce exclusions from class. Other responsibilities for the Senior Leadership which may be carried out by the LBP are:
a) Implementing the whole school behaviour and attendance policy
b) Auditing behaviour and attendance, formulating and implementing an
improvement plan
c) Supporting all staff (including teachers, support staff, student
teachers and admin staff) in the classroom and around the school through
targeted training
d) Leading a team of staff with responsibilities for behaviour and
attendance improvement (e.g. Learning Support Unit staff, Learning Mentors,
Teaching Assistants etc)
e) Co-ordinating the work of other agencies (e.g Police in schools, BESTs,
Strategy Consultants etc)
f) Co-ordinating provision for pupils with additional behaviour and
attendance needs
g) Organising parental support, courses, advice etc
h) Organising the whole school Social, Emotional and Behavioural Skills or
Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning programme
i) Organising peer led activity and pupil involvement in behaviour and
attendance improvement.
k) Co-ordinating provision with other schools through collaborative
partnerships.
Lead Behaviour Professional training
The National Programme for Specialist Leaders of Behaviour and Attendance offers training to Lead Behaviour Professionals from January 2006 based on established good practice in leading behaviour and attendance improvement. There are large numbers of both Primary and Secondary Lead Behaviour Professional already in post and a number are training on the National Programme for Specialist Leaders of Behaviour and Attendance pilot.
The future role of LBPs
Education Improvement Partnerships will add to the need for all schools to have a Lead Behaviour Professional. Lead Behaviour Professionals can work together in partner schools as a management group for the Collaboration to achieve consistent approaches, reduce exclusions and improve behaviour and attendance by sharing expertise, training opportunities etc.
With the roll out of the primary strategy all primary schools will be encouraged to have a Lead Behaviour Professional.
Sample job descriptions for secondary and primary Lead Behaviour Professionals can be used by schools when considering improvements to behaviour and attendance leadership.
