The Behaviour Smart Journey

The Behaviour

Smart Story?

The Story Behind Behaviour Smart.

Revolutionising Behaviour Support for Schools and Care Settings

Smart tools for safer spaces, stronger relationships, and better outcomes.

At Behaviour Smart, every child, young person and vulnerable adult is believed to deserve a safe, supportive environment where they can thrive. Since 2019, the mission has been clear: to revolutionise behaviour support, reduce behavioural incidents, and improve outcomes for schools, children’s homes, and healthcare settings across the UK and beyond.

From Real Challenges to Real Change

A vision born from experience. A legacy built with love.

Behaviour Smart was born from lived experience. Dean Cotton, a behaviour consultant with over 25 years’ experience in education and care settings. Dean has a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning from Leicester University and has seen first-hand the challenges faced by educators and carers, how incident recording can be time-consuming and how behaviour analysis often fails to drive real change. Dean’s extensive background includes working in schools for children with social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as serving as an independent researcher, trainer, author and keynote conference speaker in the UK and internationally.

Dean has introduced innovative techniques in behaviour management, reducing serious incidents by 98% and eliminating suspensions and exclusions in schools and care settings. However, the true turning point for Behaviour Smart came at home. Dean’s late wife, Karen, believed deeply in the vision for Behaviour Smart, and she believed in Dean himself. In 2019, before she sadly passed away from cancer, Karen encouraged Dean to develop this system. Honouring her wish, Dean poured his experience and passion into creating Behaviour Smart. The platform has already helped countless schools, children’s homes, and healthcare settings—and it continues to grow rapidly.

Thanks for making this happen, Karen. x

Built to Drive Positive Behaviour Change

Behaviour Smart isn’t just another incident reporting tool for schools.

It is a comprehensive, AI-powered behaviour support software platform designed to:

Revolutionise behaviour support

Reduce behavioural incidents

Improve outcomes in education and care

Driven by Feedback, Backed by Research

Shaped by lived experience and grounded in behavioural science.

The journey of Behaviour Smart is shaped by its users alongside behaviour and legal experts. Every feature, update, and resource is inspired by real feedback and practical needs. Whether it’s a request for a new tool or a tweak to save time, user experiences drive continuous development and improvement. Every suggestion is reviewed as a team, ensuring that Behaviour Smart evolves with the needs of schools, children’s homes, and care environments whilst keeping safe.

Built on Expertise, Trust, and Innovation

Created by educators, carers, and technologists—with your safeguarding goals at heart.

Behaviour Smart is powered by a passionate team, combining decades of hands-on behaviour management with technical excellence and a commitment to doing things right.

Development

The team transforms user ideas into intuitive, effective features that make a real difference in behaviour management for schools and care settings.

Legal & Compliance

With independent assurance from Veritau, Behaviour Smart meets the highest standards of data protection and sector compliance, so you can trust the platform with what matters most.

Technical

This secure behaviour management software is reliable, robust, and always up-to-date, thanks to dedicated technical specialists.

Co-Created with Schools & Care Providers

Tested in real settings, refined through collaboration, and trusted nationwide.

Great software is never finished. Most resources are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the features users rely on, while always seeking new ways to add value. The product roadmap is shaped by your needs, your feedback, and the ever-evolving landscape of education and care.

Book a Demonstration

Shaping the Future of Behaviour Support

Leading the way in AI-powered, trauma-informed behaviour systems.

Today, Behaviour Smart supports thousands of users across special schools, mainstream schools, children’s homes, and healthcare environments. The journey is ongoing, and Dean and the team are excited to keep working side-by-side with educators, carers, and professionals who share the vision for better behaviour support and improved outcomes.

Thank you for being part of this story. Together, we’re shaping a smarter, safer, and more supportive environment for every child and young person.

Book a Demonstration

Revolutionising Behaviour Support for Schools and Care Settings

Smart tools for safer spaces, stronger relationships, and better outcomes.

At Behaviour Smart, every child, young person and vulnerable adult is believed to deserve a safe, supportive environment where they can thrive. Since 2019, the mission has been clear: to revolutionise behaviour support, reduce behavioural incidents, and improve outcomes for schools, children’s homes, and healthcare settings across the UK and beyond.

From Real Challenges to Real Change

A vision born from experience. A legacy built with love.

Behaviour Smart was born from lived experience. Dean Cotton, a behaviour consultant with over 25 years’ experience in education and care settings. Dean has a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning from Leicester University and has seen first-hand the challenges faced by educators and carers, how incident recording can be time-consuming and how behaviour analysis often fails to drive real change. Dean’s extensive background includes working in schools for children with social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as serving as an independent researcher, trainer, author and keynote conference speaker in the UK and internationally.

Dean has introduced innovative techniques in behaviour management, reducing serious incidents by 98% and eliminating suspensions and exclusions in schools and care settings. However, the true turning point for Behaviour Smart came at home. Dean’s late wife, Karen, believed deeply in the vision for Behaviour Smart, and she believed in Dean himself. In 2019, before she sadly passed away from cancer, Karen encouraged Dean to develop this system. Honouring her wish, Dean poured his experience and passion into creating Behaviour Smart. The platform has already helped countless schools, children’s homes, and healthcare settings—and it continues to grow rapidly.

Thanks for making this happen, Karen. x