Jonathan Newport

Global Director

Jonathan Newport is Global Director of Team Teach and leads the Learning and Development Team as Chief Learning Officer. He is a behaviour specialist with over 30 years’ experience working in a range of settings.

Jonathan started his career in mainstream primary schools, and it was here that he developed a passion for a puzzle-solving approach to behaviour. This journey led him to work across primary and secondary schools in the mainstream and independent sectors, including 17 years leading Barnardo’s largest residential special school. During this time, Jonathan created solutions within the curriculum design that promoted positive behaviour for learning, allowing children and young people to grow and thrive as individuals.

Within this school, Jonathan set up a bespoke primary provision to support complex needs, which was commended by Ofsted for its innovative approach and was adopted by other schools. Jonathan embedded Team Teach thinking and practices, which led to no physical interventions for over 3 years. Jonathan then became the Educational Lead for Barnardo’s.

In 2018, Jonathan started what he describes as his ‘dream job’ leading the Team Teach organisation. Driven by the desire to create transformational change for those who need it most, he has become a passionate advocate for putting more supports in place for those who are distressed. Crucially, Jonathan keeps individual and staff wellbeing and mental health at the forefront of training. He believes that, as we seek to reduce restraint, we must also develop our ability to reduce risk, in order to safeguard all. Jonathan has been keen to show how the holistic approach adopted for children and young people is also transferable to adult services, which has led him to work more widely within the health and social care sectors.

As well as consultancy, Jonathan has contributed to a wide range of publications and delivered keynote speeches around behaviour, culture, learning, wellbeing, mental health, curriculum design, engagement and inclusion. He has spoken at NAHT conferences, The Education Show, Academies Show, Autism and Learning Disabilities and Dementia conferences, as well as numerous other events. Jonathan is recognised internationally for his work in developing and supporting positive behaviour, ethos, and culture, which has led him to engage with ministers and government departments in the UK and worldwide.

At the heart of Jonathan’s work is a drive to change the dynamic for children, young people and adults who find themselves distressed and unable to regulate behaviour. This is achieved by supporting staff to better understand their needs, ultimately improving outcomes and wellbeing for all

Q&A With Jonathan Newport

Jonathan: Absolutely. Behaviour support is a strategic approach embedded in thousands of schools, health and social care settings worldwide. At its core, it’s about creating a respectful, supportive environment based on strong, positive relationships. Effective behaviour support is the foundation of a culture where individuals are supported holistically, with an emphasis on dignity, empathy and respect.

Jonathan: In behaviour support, we define behaviour as a way people communicate their needs and emotions, especially when they may struggle to express themselves or self-regulate effectively. This shifts our mindset from thinking about behaviour in binary terms as ‘bad’ or ‘good’ to understanding it as the expression of an unmet need. When we view behaviour as communication in this way, it allows us to approach situations with increased empathy, compassion and understanding.

Jonathan: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s about knowing the individuals we care for and support. Effective behaviour support equips staff with a toolkit of strategies, from verbal and non-verbal cues to de-escalation and diversion techniques. It’s about fostering a ‘puzzle-solving mindset’ where we look beyond the immediate behaviour to understand its underlying causes. The focus is always on de-escalation and understanding.

Jonathan: It’s essential to clarify this. Behaviour support is not about taking a permissive approach or excusing dangerous actions. Boundaries are vital to keep everyone safe. Instead, it’s about reducing risk to keep everyone safe, and ensuring that situations are handled safely, respectfully and without judgment.

Jonathan: Strong leadership is essential. For behaviour support to be effective, it has to be championed by leaders. They need to set clear expectations, model compassionate responses, and provide ongoing training. In any setting, leaders set the standard, helping to embed behaviour support as a living, breathing part of the organisational culture.

Jonathan: The benefits of a behaviour support approach are far-reaching. It fosters strong, healthy relationships and a culture of respect; it reduces the need for restrictive practices, promotes post-incident reflection and restoration, and helps prevent conflicts from escalating. Not only that, but organisations can empower individuals with the skills they need to support themselves and, as a result, become more resilient. 

In environments where everyone—staff and individuals alike—are treated with dignity and respect, organisations can enjoy improved teamwork, shared values, and a safer, more supportive environment. 

Jonathan: Behaviour support can be transformative. It’s a person-centred approach that prioritises compassion and connection over compliance. When embedded deeply in an organisation, it allows every child, young person and adult to feel valued and supported. It’s about helping everyone be the best version of themselves, creating an environment where they can truly thrive.

For media enquiries, collaborative projects or speaking opportunities for Jonathan, please get in touch at info@teamteach.com

Open Letter Jan 2025: A New Year, A Fresh Perspective on Behaviour Support 

As we step into a new year, we find ourselves presented with a moment of renewal—a chance to pause, reflect, and consider how we can grow and improve in the year ahead. This is an opportunity to reimagine our approach to behaviour support and recommit to creating environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

The start of the year invites us to take a fresh look at the strategies and systems we have in place. It’s a time to ask important questions: Are we truly meeting the needs of those we support? Are our practices aligned with our values of dignity, empathy, and respect? By revisiting these questions with open minds, we can identify areas for innovation and improvement, ensuring that our approaches remain effective and compassionate.

We know the challenges you face are significant. Balancing limited resources, recruitment struggles, and increasing demands can feel overwhelming, yet your resilience and dedication continue to make a profound difference. You are the foundation of change, and it’s through your work that individuals can flourish and thrive.

At its heart, behaviour support is about connection. It’s about understanding behaviour as communication—recognising the unmet needs and emotions behind actions. This mindset allows us to approach each situation with empathy and to foster strong, positive relationships. With a toolkit of strategies, from de-escalation techniques to creating calm, structured environments, we can help those in our care develop the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges.

Leadership also plays a crucial role. As we enter the new year, let’s prioritise creating a culture where behaviour support is embedded as a core value. Leaders have a unique opportunity to model compassionate responses, provide ongoing training, and champion a person-centred approach that inspires and empowers teams.

The benefits of effective behaviour support ripple across organisations. It builds trust, reduces conflict, and creates a safer, more supportive atmosphere for everyone. By focusing on connection rather than compliance, we can transform our environments into spaces where every individual has the chance to thrive.

As the year unfolds, let’s embrace this opportunity to approach behaviour support with fresh eyes and renewed commitment. Together, we can continue to challenge outdated practices, advocate for meaningful change, and create a brighter future for those we support and for the teams who make it all possible.


We wish you a year filled with reflection, growth, and hope for what lies ahead. Thank you for your unwavering dedication—you are the heart of this transformative work, and your efforts are truly making a difference.

Warm regards,

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In the UK, we have a new government and, inevitably, this change of leadership also brings a raft of changes to our sectors. While periods of adjustment can feel unsettling, this is also an exciting time, where we can look at our approach to behaviour and explore opportunities to improve care for the individuals we support.

We hope this governmental reset can help us shine a light on behaviour support strategies and systems, so we can question their efficacy, make improvements, and find ways to offer the most effective support.

You already do an incredible job. With tight budgets, recruitment and retention challenges, and limited external agency support, it’s no surprise that everyone is feeling under pressure.

We know you can’t do this alone. We need a joined-up and coherent evaluation of our systems and approach to behaviour, to create positive change at every level. That’s why we’re reaching out to ministerial departments to suggest sustainable ways forward.

For a long time, the message has been to just ‘manage behaviour’; we hope we’re now seeing a turning point, where practitioners are listened to, validated, and supported around behaviour. Together, we can focus on understanding and supporting people to develop the skills they need, create calm and supportive environments, and meet individual needs so everyone can succeed.

Whether you’re in education and breaking up for the summer, or in an organisation that continues to work while schools are closed, we hope this summer brings a chance to rest and recharge, and an opportunity for reflection and optimism about the future of our sectors.

Best wishes,

Jonathan Newport