Managing Challenging Behaviour in Young People: Strategies That Work

Understanding the Root Causes

When young people display challenging behaviour, it’s easy to focus on the surface-level disruptions. But the real question professionals should ask is:

Why is this happening?

Disruptive behaviour isn’t random—it’s a response to stress, instability, and overwhelm. Without intervention, these behaviours escalate, leading to exclusions, placement breakdowns, and an increased risk of criminal involvement.

At Moor Elite, we don’t just manage behaviour—we address the root causes, equip professionals with actionable strategies, and transform outcomes.

The Spinning Plates Theory: Understanding Overwhelm in Young People

Imagine a young person as a circus performer trying to spin multiple plates at once. Each plate represents a different stressor—academic pressure, unstable home life, peer conflicts, mental health struggles. Some plates are manageable, but when too many start spinning at once, something has to give. Instead of punishing the crash, professionals need to step in before the plates hit the ground—helping young people regain control, regulate their emotions, and develop coping mechanisms.

So, how do you do this in a real-world setting?

1. Spot the Signs Early—Before Crisis Hits

Challenging behaviour doesn’t come out of nowhere. The signs are always there—withdrawal, anger outbursts, defiance, disengagement. If you only react once a crisis occurs, you’re already too late.

✔ Pay attention to sudden behaviour shifts.
✔ Track attendance, engagement, and social dynamics.
✔ Use early intervention strategies to stabilize young people before they spiral.

2. Build Connection First, Correction Second

Discipline without trust breeds resistance. Before you can correct a behaviour, you need to build a relationship.

✔ Create a predictable, structured environment—stability reduces anxiety and unpredictability.
✔ Validate feelings before addressing actions—young people are more receptive when they feel understood.
✔ Be consistent—inconsistency leads to insecurity, which fuels negative behaviour.

3. Set Boundaries That Are Firm—But Fair

Many professionals struggle with being either too lenient or too strict. Neither approach works.

✔ Clear, non-negotiable expectations prevent power struggles.
✔ Consequences should teach, not just punish.
✔ Involve young people in setting the rules—they’re more likely to respect what they helped create.

4. Shift the Mindset: From Survival to Success

Young people displaying challenging behaviour often operate in survival mode—reacting to immediate stressors rather than thinking long-term.

✔ Teach emotional regulation techniques (breathing exercises, journalling, structured routines).
✔ Help them visualize a future beyond their current struggles—mentorship is key here.
✔ Redirect their energy into purpose-driven activities (sports, leadership roles, skill development).

5. Use the ‘3R’ Method: Reflect, Reset, Rebuild

Instead of simply disciplining negative behaviour, focus on rebuilding the young person’s decision-making ability:

✔ Reflect: Help them understand why they reacted the way they did.
✔ Reset: Equip them with better coping strategies for next time.
✔ Rebuild: Reinforce positive behaviour so they don’t repeat the same cycle.

6. Train Staff to De-Escalate, Not Just React

Many crisis escalate unnecessarily because staff lack de-escalation training. Moor Elite’s Early Intervention Workshops & Staff Training equips professionals with:

✔ Proven de-escalation techniques to prevent physical confrontations.
✔ Strategies to reduce placement breakdowns and exclusions.
✔ Risk awareness & safeguarding training to identify hidden triggers.

7. Reinforce Progress and Celebrate Wins

For many young people, failure feels inevitable. If they’re only ever corrected, not celebrated, they will stop trying altogether.

✔ Acknowledge small improvements—even small wins lead to big transformations.
✔ Praise effort, not just results—“I see how hard you’re trying” is powerful.
✔ Involve the young person in tracking their own progress—it builds self-accountability.