Responding to disruptive or troubled pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) remains a highly topical issue. The challenges these children present relate to wider issues of continuing political concern: the perceived declining discipline in schools; school and social exclusion; the limits to inclusion for children with special needs; increasing mental health difficulties in children; youth crime and parenting skills. It s little wonder that the 'EBD' (often known as BESD or SEBD ) category is one of the most common forms of SEN around the world.

This topical and exhaustively-researched Companion examines the difficulties of defining EBD, and the dangers of allocating this imprecise label to children. Bringing together the work of contributors from fifteen countries and across four continents, this book features the research of leading experts in the global field of EBD, who discuss and debate educators key concerns by:

• looking at the overlaps between EBD, ADHD and mental health difficulties;
• outlining the types of appropriate schooling for children with EBD;
• urging readers to look beyond pupils challenging behaviour in order to understand and respond to the social, biological and psychological causation;
• considering the key areas of assessment, whole-school and targeted approaches that help pupils with EBD in mainstream and in special settings;
• outlining helpful work with families, the crucial contribution of effective multi-agency working and the importance of supporting and developing teachers who work with challenging pupils.

Containing contrasting views on controversial topics, this Companion s approachable style makes it an essential reference book for academics, policy makers, practitioners, educators and students who are working towards a higher degree in education.

As inclusive practice becomes more embedded in the policy and practice of schools around the globe, there remains groups of children and young people for whom education is a problem because of the behaviours, poor emotional development and lack of social skills. These pupils often display disaffection towards education and are to be found on the margins of mainstream schools - too often they dropout of schooling altogether. Drawing on papers and discussions at the third International Conference of SEBDA in 2010 at Keble College, Oxford, UK, the papers in this volume both describe and critically examine strategies and interventions in meeting the educational and well being needs of these children and young people. The contributions provide insights into the ways in which these pupils can remain engaged, or even be persuaded to re-engage, in education provided in both mainstream and specialist schools.

Drawing upon research and practice in a number of countries, the contributors to this volume describe advances in meeting the needs of children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Following the Salamanca agreement and other international treaties, sovereign states are pursuing, at different rates, a more inclusive educational agenda. There is concern for those pupils who are excluded and in danger of becoming increasingly marginalized in their societies as their engagement in education decreases. Foremost amongst these pupils are those with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The issues surrounding their inclusion in education, particularly mainstream education, are explored, along with the factors that contribute to successful interventions. Contributors from Spain, Norway, Australia, Canada, Finland and the United Kingdom describe ways of meeting their emotional and behavioural needs within education. The authors raise factors, which could contribute towards greater inclusive practice.

Young people with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD - sometimes called 'SEBD' or 'EBD') need effective and consistent support, yet providing this can be highly stressful and demanding for the practitioners involved. Complete with practical intervention strategies based on research, theory and practice, this comprehensive handbook provides practitioners with the information and tools they need to deal with BESD in a way that is of benefit to them as well as to the children they work with. The book begins by expanding the reader's general understanding of BESD in children. The authors examine the underlying causes, explore what can be learned from past experience, and discuss research-based theory. They then offer a range of interventions and therapies for use in and out of school, and encourage practitioners to develop skills such as engaging with parents, identifying special educational needs and setting constructive boundaries. Finally, the needs of practitioners themselves are addressed. The authors advise on how to collaborate productively with other professions and stress the importance of supporting colleagues and developing the personal resilience needed to cope in difficult circumstances. Wide-ranging, accessible and current, this guide will be an invaluable resource for the professional development of teachers and other practitioners working with young people with BESD/SEBD in educational settings.