Behavioural Intervention Team (BIT) Policy

​​This policy and its related procedures support Seneca’s commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning and working environment for members of the Seneca community specific to the identification and response to behaviours of concern, related to violence, self-directed violence, adjustment problems, misconduct and mental disorder exhibited by Seneca students.​

This policy and its related procedures apply to all Seneca students exhibiting behaviours of concern occurring on Seneca property, at Seneca activities, in online environments, in the course of studies or employment, or off Seneca property, when there are concerns about risk to the Seneca community and the employees responsible for identifying and responding to these behaviours.

Behavioural Intervention Team members who will be consulted with on an as-needed basis internally or externally. Internal members can include administrators, faculty and staff within Seneca who are not core members and external members can be individual community partners or organizations. 

Problems related to major stressful events or problems with coping including increased anxiety and decreased mood.

A multi-disciplinary team that assesses escalated behaviours of concern related to violence, self-directed violence, misconduct and mental disorder by Seneca students.

Behaviour which raises concern about violence, self-directed violence, adjustment, misconduct and mental disorder by Seneca students. 

A multi-disciplinary team that engages students exhibiting behaviours of concern and assesses cases that may require escalation to the BIT.

Behavioural Intervention Team members who consult with each other on a regular basis related to triage, assessment, and management. They include representatives from Security and Emergency Management Services, Student Conduct, Residence, Counselling and Accessible Learning Services.

Disturbance of basic mental function (e.g., cognition, affect or behaviours) that causes significant impairment and reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or development processes underlying mental functioning.

Behaviour that has caused direct or indirect harm to people (e.g., physical, psychological, or social) or to an organization (e.g., functional, reputational).

Learning or communicating with others through the internet or a computer network, including, but not limited to email, text messages, social media and software inside or outside the classroom.

Conduct that causes actual, potential or reasonable fear of physical self-injury that is intentional and unauthorized under the law.

Any event, project, delivery of educational content or other activity, which has been sanctioned by Seneca, including, but not limited to, co-op work terms, field placements, internships or virtual learning environments.

Includes, but is not limited to, current or prospective students as well as employees, visitors, guests, volunteers, consultants, and contractors and their employees while they are on Seneca property or engaged in Seneca activities off property or virtually.

All real property that is owned, operated, or managed by Seneca, as well as all personal property provided by Seneca to enable study and work to be performed.

An individual who is registered in full- or part-time credit courses or has commenced studies in full- or part-time non-credit courses and has maintained his/her eligibility to register. 

Behavioural Intervention Team members who consult with each other on a regular basis and are responsible for identifying and reporting warning signs for behaviours of concern and for referring relevant cases to the core members. They may include representatives from Security and Emergency Management Services, Student Conduct, Residence, Counselling Services and Accessible Learning Services.

Actual, attempted, or threatened bodily harm to other people that is intentional and unauthorized under the law.

1. Seneca is committed to providing a safe and respectful working and learning environment which is free from behaviours of concern by: 
   • identifying and responding to behaviours of concern in a supportive, fair, unbiased and timely manner
   • providing relevant education and training to the Seneca community 
2. Members of the Seneca community shall:
   • familiarize themselves with and comply with this policy and its related procedures as well as all other Seneca policies referred to in this policy
   • report behaviours of concern in a timely manner as outlined in the related procedure
   • conduct themselves in a manner that respects civil and criminal law and the safety and well-being of the Seneca community and Seneca property
3. All matters related to behaviours of concern will be addressed in a supportive, fair, unbiased and timely manner, supported by contemporary standards of ethics, research, practice and the law.

1. Seneca maintains a Behavioural Intervention Team (BIT) to assess escalated behaviours of concern.
2. Concerns are brought forward to the BIT through a Case Management Team (CMT) or in response to an emerging incident.
3. The BIT operates under the administrative responsibility of the Associate Vice- President, Students and the Executive Director, Campus Services & Facilities and will include core, supporting and ad hoc representatives from:
   • Counselling Services 
   • Accessibility Learning Services
   • Security Services
   • Student Conduct
   • Residence Life
   • other service areas, as required 
4. The BIT provides training and outreach for Seneca students and employees, as well as community partners, as needed. 
5. The BIT is co-led by the Director, Student Conduct and the Director, Security & Emergency Management Services. 
6. Responsibilities of co-leads include, but are not limited to:
   • chairing BIT meetings
   • ensuring BIT members receive appropriate training
   • assembling ad hoc teams when required
   • ensuring respectful and supportive BIT interactions
   • maintaining and securing all relevant documents
   • obtaining expert advice for the BIT as needed
   • communicating findings and opinions
   • assisting with implementation of approved recommendations
   • facilitating debriefing sessions with relevant stakeholders
7. Core members or their designates:
   • consult with each other on a regular basis on issues related to triage, assessment and management
   • collectively have appropriate training, relevant experience, diverse knowledge, access to information, authority to implement and good judgment related to triaging, assessing, managing and preventing behaviours of concern 
8. Supporting members or their designates:
   • consult with each other on a regular basis and are responsible for identifying and reporting warning signs for behaviours of concern and for referring relevant cases to the core members
   • collectively, have appropriate training, relevant experience, diverse knowledge, access to information, authority to implement, and good judgment related to identifying and reporting warning signs for behaviours of concern 
9. Internal and external ad hoc members will be consulted with on an as-needed basis.

1. BIT training and outreach focuses on identifying and responding to warning signs for behaviours of concern, understanding relevant policies, procedures, legislation and agreements and awareness of available supports.
2. Training will be provided annually and on demand as needed. 
3. All BIT members receive training on:
   • triaging
   • assessing and managing risk for violence and self-directed violence
   • supporting and referring concerns related to adjustment problems, misconduct and mental disorder
4. BIT training is supported by contemporary standards of ethics, research, practice and applicable legislation. 

1. When cases involving escalated behaviours of concern are reported to the BIT, it considers what investigations are relevant (e.g., occupational health and safety, mental health evaluation, fitness for study/duty evaluation, conduct investigation, harassment investigation, human rights complaint, security investigation, criminal investigation) and how to carry out multiple investigations in parallel or in sequence.

1. The BIT documents all behaviours of concern, risk triages, risk assessments and risk management activities. 
2. Seneca community members and all external parties taking part in an investigation will protect and manage personal information to the fullest extent consistent with applicable legislation and Seneca’s policies and procedures.
3. Information gathered in the course of an investigation may be shared on a need to know and case-by-case basis.
4. Information may be shared for the purposes of other relevant investigations (e.g., criminal or conduct). 
5. In accordance with applicable legislation, Seneca will share information with relevant stakeholders (e.g., police, emergency services, affected parties) when concerns are raised about a student’s risk for imminent and/or serious violence towards others or a student’s risk of imminent and/or serious self-directed violence.

• Appendix A: Behavioural Intervention Team (BIT) Procedure
• Appendix B: Case Management Team (CMT) Procedure
  

• Discrimination and Harassment
  
• Occupational Health and Safety 
• Personal Safety/Security Threats 
• Sexual Violence
• Student Code of Conduct

• Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46
• Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c H.19
• Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O 1990, c. F.31
• Residence Community Living Standards

1. Core members or their designate will meet monthly to:
   • discuss new cases
   • review ongoing cases
   • discuss relevant policies procedures and practices
   • consider training needs and requirements
   • develop educational awareness campaigns
   • discuss other relevant business
2. Core members will be available to respond to behaviours of concern (either emergencies or non-emergencies) as needed, in person, by phone or virtually.
3. Administrative assistance will be provided as determined by the co-leads. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing the agenda for meetings, arranging a meeting space, transcribing meeting minutes and maintaining relevant databases.

1. Behaviours of concern that are experienced, wittnessed or suspected should be reported to Student Conduct and/or Security Services by phone, email or in person.
2. All situations involving imminent and/or serious violence should be reported immediately to the Police at 911 and then to Security Services: 416.764.0911
3. All situations involving imminent and/or serious violence will be communicated to the Senior Executive Team and the Communications Team.
4. All risk assessments conducted that result in an individual being identified as serious and/or imminent risk to the Seneca community will be communicated to the Senior Executive Committee.

1. The BIT will triage all behaviours of concern reported to them to determine:
   • if there is a risk of violence or self-directed violence
   • how to prioritize cases
   • immediate actions to be taken
2. Immediate actions may include, but are not limited to, coordinating with police, administrators or Security Services, implementing temporary restrictions, initiating a risk assessment or conduct investigation, initiating safety planning gathering additional information or monitoring warning signs. 

1. When there is reason to be concerned about risks of violence or self-directed violence, the BIT will assess whether any risk is posed and, if so, how to manage the risk.
2. As part of the risk assessment, interviews may be conducted with relevant parties, and relevant documents may be shared by Seneca or may be requested by Seneca from community members and/or community partners. 
3. Risk management strategies include, but are not limited to, monitoring, treatment, supervision and safety planning, which may be implemented by Seneca, community members and/or community partners.
4. On a case-by-case basis, the BIT may retain external experts to undertake risk assessments. 

1. Ongoing support will be provided to Seneca students with behavioural concerns by the appropriate service area, and when relevant, to those who are the focus of the concern.
2. Referrals for support will be made to relevant internal (e.g., Security Services, Student Conduct, Residence, Counselling Services and Accessible Learning Services) and/or external services (e.g., victim services, sexual assault centres, police, fire or emergency management services). 

1. The BIT procedures will be reviewed every three years or more frequently if there is an incident of violence or self-directed violence that warrants a review or the core BIT core members request a review.

The CMT meets regularly to discuss potential risks, threats, and/or individuals exhibiting behaviours of concern. 

The CMT is responsible for intakes, assisting students with accessing services, developing care plans for their success, and conducting risk assessments. They proactively intervene when appropriate to address and prevent acts of violence.

1. Core members include representatives from Security Services, Student Conduct, Accessible Learning Services, Counselling Services, and Residence Life. Core members, or their designate will meet weekly to:
   • discuss cases
   • review ongoing cases
   • Perform violence risk triaging and make recommendations to the BIT
   • discuss other relevant business
2. Each case discussion will include:
   • students involved 
   • concerns
   • supporting documentation review
   • location (e.g., on/off campus, residence, online)
   • whether a BIT referral is warranted
3. Core members are to send designates should they be away. Meetings can occur in person or virtually.
4. Any member of the CMT can initiate a meeting (outside of the weekly pre-scheduled times) to discuss urgent student behaviours of concern.
5. The CMT will make recommendations to the BIT according to identified warning signs related to behaviours of concern.
6. Administrative assistance will be provided as required by co-leads. Administrative responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
   • preparing the agenda for meetings
   • arranging meeting space or virtual links
   • transcribing minutes
   • maintaining relevant database

1. Behaviours of concern that are experienced, witnessed or suspected should be reported to Student Conduct and/or Security Services by phone, email or in person.
2. All situations involving imminent and/or serious violence should be reported immediately to the Police at 911 and then to Security Services: 416.764.0911.

1. The CMT will discuss and triage all behaviours of concern to determine if:
   • there is risk of harm to oneself or others
   • there is risk of harm to the polytechnic community
   • a recommendation to the BIT is required
2. As part of the risk triage and assessment, the CMT will share all relevant documentation and information with the BIT. 
3. In specific cases and when warranted, the CMT will make recommendations to other special interest groups as required, when decisions will have an impact on the Seneca community.

1. Ongoing support will be provided to students with behavioural concerns by the appropriate service area, and when relevant, to those who are the focus of the concern. 
2. When required, the CMT will make referrals for support to relevant internal (e.g., Security Services, Student Conduct, Residence Life, Counselling Services and Accessible Learning Services) and/or external services (e.g., victim services, sexual assault centres, police, fire or emergency management services). 

1. All risk assessments by the CMT are guided and documented using the following rubrics:
   • Violence Risk Triage (VRT) – Protect International
   • E and D Scales – NABITA
   • Other committee-approved rubrics, as required

Approval Date: June 2024