Building Safety, Trust and Predictability From Day One

We work hard to create environments that feel safe, predictable and relational. When individuals know what to expect, trust builds more quickly, anxiety reduces, and they feel well supported. But when someone first arrives at our school or service, things can often feel anything but predictable.

New environments, unfamiliar people and changes to routine often lead to behaviour that needs support. Join Team Teach Principal trainer, Cale Begley, as he explores how to start well by building safety, trust and predictability from day one in schools and services.

In this webinar, we discuss:

• • Behaviour as communication during periods of change, including what we might see in the early days and what those behaviours may be telling us

• • How to support someone as they join your school or service, with a focus on gathering meaningful information early and using it effectively to plan support

• • Establishing relational routines that build safety, trust and predictability, reducing anxiety and risk for everyone

This practical session will support education, disability, health and social care professionals to feel more confident and intentional about how they welcome individuals and set the foundations for positive relationships and behaviour support from the outset.

What to expect?

This webinar will be hosted by Cale Begley, Learning and Development Lead for Team Teach Australia and New Zealand, alongside our guest speakers:

Justine Baker – Director, Operations | Disability & Aged Care Leader
Justine brings over a decade of frontline and senior management experience across Disability and Aged Care. She specialises in embedding safety, trust, and predictability from day one, helping services create environments where participants feel safe, understood, and set up for success.

Michael Burke – Founder, Lavender Co
Michael holds three Master’s degrees and has extensive experience in special education and disability support. He co-founded Lavender House Respite Care to provide holistic, person-centred support and is dedicated to transforming disability care through practical, goal-focused approaches.

Gillian Hoy – Learning Support Coordinator
With 35 years in education across New Zealand and the UK, including leadership roles and Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour positions, Gillian brings deep insight into supporting students with additional needs and building systems that promote trust and predictability.

Carmel Blake – Professional Learning Officer, Inclusive Practices
Carmel has 45+ years’ experience supporting children in mainstream and specialised education settings. She specialises in learner-centred approaches, professional learning for educators, and practical strategies to help students with additional needs thrive from day one.