Ruth is principal of Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, Bóthar Bhaile Uí Ógáin, BÁC 18, an 11-teacher school with c. 350 pupils. Here, Ruth provides an overview of the CPS model, which the school has been using successfully for the past year.

Collaborative and Proactive Solutions is a crisis prevention model suitable for all schools. The revolutionary thing about CPS is that it helps reduce and/or eliminate concerning behaviour, without focusing on behaviour. 

This model teaches teachers/SNAs how to identify unsolved problems, and how to solve these problems collaboratively and proactively using the Plan B conversation from the CPS model. 

Just by engaging in the Plan B conversation, skills such as adaptability, frustration response, empathy and problem-solving skills are developed & strengthened. When children struggle with these skills, they are more likely to exhibit concerning behaviour when faced with an expectation they cannot meet.  

Dr Ross Greene, originator of the model describes the model and the psychology behind it, in a 25 min video on his non-profit website –https://livesinthebalance.org/ireland/