Why this toolbox matters
Help staff sound safer when behaviour is difficult.
PACE is easy to admire and easy to misuse. This toolbox helps staff translate playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy into words they can actually use without sounding artificial or permissive.
It is designed for moments where the adult response matters: after an incident, during repair, when a child is guarded, or when staff need to stay connected without losing boundaries.
What staff can use it for
- Use PACE-informed language without ignoring risk or boundaries.
- Choose curious prompts that reduce shame rather than interrogate.
- Support repair after difficult moments.
- Use supervision prompts to reflect on adult tone, timing and response.
Practice toolbox preview
What this toolbox helps staff do in practice
After behaviour: open a repair conversation without leading with blame.
When a child withdraws: use curiosity without pressure.
When staff feel triggered: pause and choose a response that keeps connection.
In supervision: explore tone, assumptions and what the child may have experienced.
Why this matters: The preview sells the practice value without publishing the full PACE scripts.
Who this toolbox is for
Practitioners, managers and frontline staff who need practice-ready prompts, scripts and reflective tools they can return to after training is complete.
