Strategies for managing difficult behaviour?

Question

OK. difficult violent child in my class aged 10. (Has a history of fighting, upseting others, storming out of class, swearing in a variety of languages shouting at, being disrespectful to and even once injuring teachers). Possible reasons are that he is a refugee from Somalia and later had a short stay in the middle east, plus he was badly bullied when he first arrived in the UK. (the refugee EAL thing is very common in our school). So, the strategies I have put inplace for him are this; he sees a councillor once a week, I have a home school book for him - where I write down what he has done that day and put a smiley/frowny face so his mum, who doesn't speak English, can see how he's been. She has to sign this to show whe's seen it and her elder children can translate what it says. I also go down the road of praising, a lot confidence building etc...the home school book has worked really well until recently. but he's been awful the past week - any ideas?

Answer 1

He's confused and apparently not getting much attention/help from family. Tough situation for the boy. I think he needs a program such as Big Brother/Big Sister we have here in U.S. Or any unstructured activity where he is allowed to be himself regularly. He needs someone who takes care of just him if only for few hours a week.
I feel really bad for him and I hope you can find something to help him.

Answer 2

Try finding out if there is anything at home, that is different than usual. Have you visited his home to assess his living conditions and see how he behaves at home? This child is had been through a lot, his misbehavior might be a simple self-preservation response. In cases like his, anger is usually their way of making sure they don't create an emotional attachment to others (friends, teachers, neighbors), so they don't have to experience the pain of loss once again. Try reassuring him, that no matter what, you'll be there for him, you will not abandon him. When talking to children, lower yourself to their level, for example sit on the floor so you can be as tall as they are, this will eliminate some fear, make them feel safer and should help with avoiding aggressive responses.

Answer 3

if you're his mother, then use a paddle;
if you're his teacher, then use a paddle;
if you're his councelor, then use a paddle;
if you're his tutor/guide, then use a belt