Welcome to our December update. As we move 2026, many teams are working hard to rebuild routine, confidence and consistency after a busy period. Across the sector, we are seeing a renewed focus on workforce wellbeing, culture, and better ways of working – all themes central to high-quality Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). This month, we are sharing practical tools and insights to help teams start 2026 strong.

---

BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT INSIGHT: SMALL ADJUSTMENTS, BIG IMPACT

It is common to see subtle behaviour changes at this time of year, often caused by disrupted routines, new staff, changes in activities or increased anxiety. One effective way to support people is through small, proactive adjustments that make environments calmer and more predictable.

Examples include:

• Reducing background noise during transitions
• Using visual choice boards before activities
• Giving a clear two-minute warning before changes
• Pausing briefly before responding in stressful moments

These low-effort strategies reduce incidents and promote safer, more consistent support.

---

TRAINING TIP OF THE MONTH: THE PAUSE

When teams feel pressure to respond quickly, reactions can become automatic rather than considered. A simple technique is The Pause:

Before responding, pause briefly, take a breath, soften your stance and lower your tone.

This gives both the staff member and the individual space to regulate. Many teams tell us this single habit has had a significant impact on reducing escalation.

---

IMPACT STORY: BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN A SUPPORTED LIVING TEAM

A supported living service recently contacted us after noticing an increase in early behaviours of concern around busy periods. Following tailored PBS and low-arousal training, the team:

• Reported higher confidence in recognising early signals
• Introduced three proactive supports that reduced triggers
• Saw a 35% reduction in escalations within four weeks

A manager commented: "The training finally gave us a shared language – it has made such a difference across shifts."

---

FEATURED TRAINING: AUTISM AND SENSORY NEEDS – A PRACTICAL APPROACH

Ideal for services supporting autistic adults, young people or individuals with complex sensory profiles. This course explores:

• Understanding sensory triggers
• Supporting regulation proactively
• Adjusting environments to reduce distress
• Communicating in low-arousal, accessible ways

To enquire or book a session, please contact us.

---

CARE SHOW BIRMINGHAM – EARLY PREVIEW

Next year’s Care Show theme focuses on connection, inspiration and practical tools for improving care. We will be exhibiting and offering:

• Mini de-escalation demonstrations
• Free PBS pocket guides
• One-to-one discussions with our trainers
• Exclusive on-the-day offers

Further details will follow soon.

---

FREE RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: EARLY SIGNS CUE SHEET

We have created a simple guide to help staff recognise and respond to early signs of behaviour change. This is suitable for handovers, supervisions and new starters.

If you would like a downloadable version, please let us know and we will send it across.

---

SUPPORT FOR 2026

If you are planning refresher training, embedding PBS across multiple services, or reviewing restrictive practice strategies, we are here to help.

For enquiries or support:

Email: training@sherwoodtraining.co.uk
Website: www.sherwoodtraining.co.uk
Book a training needs assessment

Best wishes
The Sherwood Training Team