National Behaviour Support Service Friends For Life A
resilience building and well-being programme for students National
Behaviour Support Service NCSE Conference
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National Behaviour Support Service Overview Introduction NBSS
Model of Support Friends For Life NBSS Research
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National Behaviour Support Service NBSS Mission Statement
Promoting and Supporting Behaviour for Learning The NBSS promotes
and supports positive behaviour for learning through the provision
of a systematic continuum of support to school communities,
grounded in evidence- based practice.
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National Behaviour Support Service NBSS Model of Support
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National Behaviour Support Service NBSS Model of Support draws
extensively from: Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports
(PBIS) Sugai & Horner, 2002 Response to Intervention (RtI)
Fuchs & Fuchs, 2006 Comprehensive, Integrated Three Tier Model
of Prevention (CI3T) Lane, Kalberg, & Menzies, 2009
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National Behaviour Support Service
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Student Behaviour Plan
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National Behaviour Support Service
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Childhood Anxiety When rates of specific phobias are included,
the overall rates of anxiety disorders increase to 18.8% among
11-13 year old. RCSI Report: Cannon, Coughlan, Clarke, Harley,
Kelleher, 2013 Anxiety constitutes one of the most prevalent forms
of psychological distress in childhood and youth. Educational
Psychology, Albano, Chorpita & Barlow, 2003 Anxiety is the most
common psychological disorder in school-aged children and
adolescents. Prevalence rates in Ireland estimate that 18.7% of
children suffer from some form of mental health issue or
psychological disorder, including anxiety severe enough to cause
impairment. Barnardos Report: Tomorrows Child, 2008
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National Behaviour Support Service Managing Anxiety Even when
students are predisposed to anxiety, they can learn to manage it
more effectively. (Dr. Alish Rodgers, 2012)
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National Behaviour Support Service
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International Research The World Health Organisation has cited
Friends for Life 'as the only evidence-based programme effective at
all levels of intervention for anxiety in children. (WHO,
2004)
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National Behaviour Support Service The FRIENDS Programmes The
FRIENDS Programmes The FRIENDS programmes were developed by
Professor Paula Barrett for children aged 4 years right through to
adults. Each programme is similar in theoretical principles.
However, each programme is age appropriate and has additional
techniques for each stage of development. Fun Friends (4 to 7
years) Friends for Life (8 to 11 years) My Friends Youth (12 to 15
years) Adult Resilience - Strong not Tough (16+)
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National Behaviour Support Service Why FRIENDS? The FRIENDS
programmes were created to: Develop life skills to cope with
challenging situations Build life-long emotional resilience Build
life-supporting social networks and positive role models Promote
self-confidence and empathy Reduce bullying and teach constructive
peer relationship skills Develop social skills Improve academic
performance Empower students, parents and teachers
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National Behaviour Support Service Resilience Oxford Dictionary
Ability to overcome adversity; to achieve positive outcomes
regardless of life events or circumstances It is important to:
Normalise emotions Recognise that emotions vary across cultures and
age groups
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National Behaviour Support Service
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The Theory Behind the Friends Programmes Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT) Behaviour Theory Our response to an event is based on
our environment or the experience itself. CBT Theorists We respond
to cognitive representations: i.e. we respond to how we think about
an event rather than to the environment or to the event itself. We
develop a characteristic way of making sense of events and
responding to events based on our cognitive structures.
(Kendal)
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National Behaviour Support Service F Feelings R Remember to
relax (have quiet time) I I can do it! I can try my best! E Explore
solutions and Coping Step Plans N Now reward yourself! Youve done
your best! D Dont forget to practice! S Smile! Stay calm! The
FRIENDS Acronym
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National Behaviour Support Service SessionTopic covered Session
1Introduction to FRIENDS for Life Session 2Introduction to
feelings, our own and others Session 3The relationship between
thoughts and feelings Session 4Emotional recognition, relaxation.
Session 5Developing positive self-talk Session 6Challenging
negative/unhelpful thoughts Session 7Developing coping
problem-solving skills Session 8Coping step plans and praising self
for success Session 9Role play and practice using the FRIENDS for
Life skills Session 10Review and party recap on what has been
learned. FRIENDS for Life Programme Outline
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National Behaviour Support Service Session 3: what happens to
our bodies when we are stressed
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National Behaviour Support Service Session 3: what happens to
our bodies when we are stressed
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National Behaviour Support Service Session 4: Creating our own
relaxation menu
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National Behaviour Support Service FRIENDS for Life National
Project NBSS in collaboration with NEPS and SPHE Support Service
Research Questions: Is the FRIENDS for Life programme effective in
reducing anxiety levels? Does the FRIENDS for Life programme have a
positive impact on student behaviour? Can the FRIENDS for Life
programme be effectively delivered through the Post-Primary School
Curriculum?
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National Behaviour Support Service National Project Design
Measures - Screening Tools Used Anxiety: The Spence Childrens
Anxiety Scale (Parent and Student Version). T-score of 60 and above
indicates elevated anxiety symptoms and T-score of 59 and below
indicates normal anxiety symptoms. Behaviour: Strengths and
Difficulties Questionnaire (Teacher & Student Version).
Statistical Analysis Parents, Students, Teachers completed pre and
post measures. Scores were analysed using a T-Test.
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National Behaviour Support Service Facilitators, Students,
Parents 42 teachers attended a three day training session 499 First
Year students were screened in 14 post-primary schools, with
parental consent 244 First Year students selected by the Pastoral
Care Team/Student Support Team/Care Team All parents of students in
anxiety elevated range invited to meet with project psychologist
before and after FRIENDS programme 12 schools - small group format
/2 schools - universal format
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National Behaviour Support Service Results on Anxiety
Levels
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National Behaviour Support Service Elevated Anxiety Level Range
1 in every 5.3 students rated themselves within the elevated range
before the FFL Programme (N=94, 63 females, 31 males) 1 in every
9.8 students rated themselves within the elevated range after the
FFL Programme (N=51, 38 females, 13 males)
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National Behaviour Support Service Anxiety Results: Student
Questionnaire
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National Behaviour Support Service Themes of Worries
Test/Schoolwork Bullying Loss/Death Other Fears (e.g. empty
streets, clowns, empty streets)
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National Behaviour Support Service Universal Schools: There was
a significant reduction in anxiety levels according to the student
questionnaire after the FRIENDS for Life programme (p=.01) Small
Groups: There was a significant reduction in anxiety levels
according to the student questionnaire after the FRIENDS for Life
programme (p
