14 OCTOBER 2026
Are you an education professional looking for better ways to support pupils experiencing demand avoidance? Join Stewart Burgess, Lead Practitioner from our Group, to explore how Positive Behaviour Support can help us understand the needs behind behaviour, reduce pressure, increase predictability and promote autonomy. We’ll also reflect on how our own responses can influence regulation, relationships and positive outcomes for pupils.
Supporting Professionals
đź“… Date: Wednesday 14th October
⏰ Time: 3:30-4:30pm
In this session, Stewart will:
✔️Share how positive behaviour support can help us look beyond the behaviour itself and consider the function, context and needs that may sit behind demand avoidance
✔️Explore practical, proactive ways of reducing unnecessary pressure, increasing predictability, supporting autonomy and adapting the environment before asking the pupil to change
✔️Reflect on the role of the adult within the interaction, including how our own nervous system, emotional state and responses can influence regulation, relationships and the effectiveness of the support we provide
About our speaker
Stewart Burgess,
Lead Practitioner
Stewart Burgess is a Lead Practitioner within Witherslack Group’s Behaviour & Inclusion team, with over 20 years’ experience working across specialist education, residential care and multidisciplinary settings supporting children and young people with complex SEMH needs. He has previously worked as a Registered Manager and Deputy Head Teacher in specialist provision. Stewart is a qualified Level 4 counsellor and hypnotherapist and holds a Level 5 Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools and Communities. He is currently completing the final year of his psychotherapy training. His practice interests include behaviour as communication, nervous-system regulation, relational practice, reflective practice and translating psychological theory into practical support within real-world settings.