What are emotional and behavioural difficulties?

Emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) is a term used to describe a broad range of problems evident in children and young people that significantly impair their capacity to grow and develop. 

EBD does not constitute a formal psychiatric diagnosis, but rather represents an administrative categorisation used differently by both Local Education Authorities (LEA) and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales (CSIW).

What purpose does EBD serve?

EBD serves an important role in both education and the management of looked after children.

For the LEA, an EBD assessment is vital to the production of a Statement of Special Education Needs (SEN), which in turn enables additional educational resources to be released for the identified child.  The assessment recognises that children with EBD require specialised learning support to have positive educational outcomes.  Without such support, young people will experience school failure and have a compromised future.

For CSCI and CSIW, EBD is a categorisation used to describe the primary registration purpose and operation of a facility for looked after children.  Such use recognises that young people who have been traumatised through severe abuse and neglect will usually display challenging emotional and behaviour difficulties.

How is EBD categorisation obtained?

To obtain EBD categorisation in the school system, a young person will require formal assessment by an Educational Psychologist employed by the LEA.  Children with EBD cover the range of ability found in mainstream schools, but generally behave unusually or in an extreme fashion to a variety of social, personal, emotional or physical circumstances.

Registration with CSCI and CSIW, of each home for looked after children, restricts the admission of children and young people to those that meet the intended purpose of the home.

What are emotional and behavioural difficulties?

Emotional and behavioural difficulties in a child or young person may be evident in various forms, including:

• emotional impairment resulting from abuse, neglect or psychological trauma

• social withdrawal, isolation or underachievement

• low self-esteem or depression

• over activity and impaired concentration

• disruptive and uncooperative behaviour

• anti-social, aggression with threat of or actual violence

• school phobia

A young person may demonstrate one or more of these difficulties, all of which may disrupt their social and learning environments, necessitating high levels of professional support and intervention.

What is not covered by EBD?

EBD covers ongoing and disruptive problems that interrupt the child’s capacity to grow and develop.  Consequently, it does not account for the child or young person who:

• is experiencing emotional stress within normal and expected bounds

• has symptoms of, or diagnosis of a serious mental health condition.

What can New Horizons offer abused children with EBD?

New Horizons has experienced residential childcare staff that are able to provide a nurturing yet contained environment that will provide the structure and support needed for a young person to develop a sense of safety and trust.

With the ready availability of a multidisciplinary team, interventions can be implemented across a number of domains for each young person.  With specialised educational resource provided by National Teaching & Advisory Service (NT&AS), New Horizons is able to actively advocate for and influence educational resources and support for looked after children.