Ever tried every de-escalation strategy in the book—calm voice, supportive stance, soothing words—only to watch a student keep spiralling? The problem isn’t you. The problem is that de-escalation on its own isn’t enough. 

In this episode of School Behaviour Secrets, we reveal why de-escalation so often fails in the heat of the moment, and introduce a new way of thinking about pupil behaviour: the PAINs framework (Primary Areas of Internal Need). Discover the five hidden stressors that keep kids dysregulated—physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and prosocial—and how to compensate for them so pupils don’t tip into crisis in the first place. 

If you’re tired of firefighting meltdowns and want practical strategies to prevent them instead, this episode is packed with insights you can use in your classroom tomorrow. 

Links: 

Download the SEND Behaviour Handbook for FREE 

Get more free resources about SEMH from Beacon School Support from this page 

NEW and FREE: Live in-person events for heads and executive leaders

Join other heads from Birmingham, the North West and Yorkshire and learn how the LEAD framework and Success Path approaches can equip your team to handle SEMH challenges in your school, while building a more inclusive and resilient culture.

To learn more and book your free place, visit:

https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk