The Challenging Behaviour Foundation

making a difference to the lives of people with severe learning disabilities


We are the only UK charity specifically focused on the needs of children, young people and adults with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour may be described as challenging, and their families. 

The term “challenging behaviour” has a specific and precise use in relation to people with a learning disability who might have difficulties communicating. It refers to behaviour which presents a serious risk to the person themselves or to those supporting them. Individuals with a severe learning disability will have little or no speech, find it very difficult to learn new skills, need support with daily activities such as dressing, washing, eating and keeping safe, have difficulties with social skills and need life-long support.

When individuals do not communicate verbally, the onus is on services and professionals to understand, support alternative communication approaches and ensure a good quality of life. If this is done well, it can prevent behaviours that challenge developing. Too often, this does not happen and people respond with fear, restriction and even punishment to challenging behaviours, rather than with curiosity, advocacy and enablement.

 

How Your Support Helps

As a small national charity, your donations help us provide vital information and support, share best practice and influence change. We are very grateful to everyone who donates or fundraises for us.

We would like to reach a point where the CBF is no longer needed, because children, young people and adults with severe learning disabilities and their families are well supported by a joined-up system. Unfortunately, there is a long way to go and the external context we are operating in means there is almost more need for the CBF now than when we were first established nearly thirty years ago. 

Family carers are key to their relative’s lives but face isolation due to the unusual challenges they live with. Despite their critical role in advocating for their relative, families are too often side-lined or faced with parent-blame. The system that should be there to support families is often a direct cause of trauma. When families contact us, it is often because they are in crisis. Their relatives are at risk of restrictive responses which compromise their rights and quality of life. Family carers are also at risk of poor outcomes, including physical/mental ill-health, physical injury, and financial burdens. This is not inevitable and can be avoided with the right support. 

With your help we can continue to support families, share best practice and influence policy, working towards a future where the CBF will no longer be needed, because children, young people and adults with severe learning disabilities and their families are well supported by a joined-up system.


Featured Events

Check out these featured events from this charity

Run Kent Tonbridge 10K

Oct 4, 2026 - Oct 4, 2026

Brook St, Tonbridge TN9 2PN, UK

Registration Price:£0
Fundraising Amount:£300

Run Kent Tonbridge Half Marathon

Oct 4, 2026 - Oct 4, 2026

Brook St, Tonbridge TN9 2PN, UK

Registration Price:£0
Fundraising Amount:£500

The Brighton Marathon

Apr 4, 2027 - Apr 4, 2027

Preston Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 6SD, UK

Registration Price:£132
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

All Events

What's coming up in the run for charity events calendar? It’s never too late to join one of these great events.

Flamingo Land 5k

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17, UK

Registration Price:£38
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Flamingo Land 10k

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17, UK

Registration Price:£38
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Henley River 10k - September

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Remenham Farm, Remenham Ln, Remenham, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3DB, UK

Registration Price:£30
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Henley River Half Marathon - September

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Remenham Farm, Remenham Ln, Remenham, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3DB, UK

Registration Price:£35
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Henley River Junior Race - September

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Remenham Farm, Remenham Ln, Remenham, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3DB, UK

Registration Price:£10
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Snowdonia Sea2sky 25K - September

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Bath House Beach, Barmouth, LL42 1HB

Registration Price:£55
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Snowdonia Sea2sky 12K - September

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Bath House Beach, Barmouth, LL42 1HB

Registration Price:£40
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Snowdonia Sea2sky 54K - September

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Bath House Beach, Barmouth, LL42 1HB

Registration Price:£95
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Flamingo Land - Spectator Pass

Sep 5, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17, UK

Registration Price:£25
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Birmingham Running Festival 5K - September 2026

Sep 6, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026

Park Rd, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield B73 6BT, UK

Registration Price:£28
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Run Thorpe Park 5k

Sep 6, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026

Thorpe Park, Staines Road, Chertsey, KT16 8PN

Registration Price:£42
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.

Birmingham Running Festival 10K - September 2026

Sep 6, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026

Park Rd, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield B73 6DB, UK

Registration Price:£32
Fundraising Amount:Raise as much as you can.