Introducing Circles of Support for Dysregulated Children

A Circle of Support is an early intervention strategy for children who are not responding to Tier 1 systems. The key features of a Circle of Support are as follows: 𐁰 A group will consist of four to six dysregulated children and up to four children with good social and valued behavioural skills who will benefit from small group work. 𐁰 Each child should be interviewed first and asked whether they are happy to participate. 𐁰 A Circle of Support functions best with two adult facilitators, who are allowed time to plan and review sessions. 𐁰 The group should meet in a quiet room which has a circle of chairs. 𐁰 Ground rules should be developed that foster a caring and warm atmosphere. 𐁰 The structured circle activities should address the needs of the children ‘beyond’ the typical motivational strategies. 𐁰 Advocacy inside and outside the group is a guiding principle for all involved.