Positive Behaviour Support - What is it and how does it help?

Positive Behaviour Support: Understanding and Utilizing it within the NDIS

Living with a disability can present unique challenges, and sometimes these challenges manifest as behaviours that impact a Participant’s quality of life and the lives of those around them. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) offers a proactive and holistic approach to understanding and addressing these behaviours. This article, brought to you by DisabilityInsights, will explain what PBS is, how it works within the NDIS framework, and how it can empower Participants to achieve their goals.

See our complete What Is A Positive Behaviour Support Plan guide for a more in-depth exploration of PBS plans.

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support is not about punishment or quick fixes. Instead, it focuses on understanding why a behaviour is occurring and developing strategies to support the Participant in learning new skills and making positive choices. It's a collaborative and person-centered approach, meaning it is tailored to the individual's unique needs, strengths, and goals. The central principle behind PBS is to improve the person's overall quality of life, not simply suppress unwanted behaviours.

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of PBS:

• Focus on Understanding: Instead of simply reacting to a behaviour, PBS seeks to identify the underlying reasons for it. This involves looking at the individual's history, environment, communication skills, and any medical or psychological factors that might be contributing.
• Proactive Strategies: PBS emphasizes teaching new skills and making changes to the environment to prevent challenging behaviours from occurring in the first place. This might involve improving communication skills, providing more choice and control, or modifying the physical environment to reduce triggers.
• Person-Centered Approach: PBS is always tailored to the individual's needs and preferences. It involves working closely with the Participant, their family, Support Workers, and other professionals to develop a plan that is respectful, effective, and sustainable.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: PBS relies on data collection and analysis to track progress and make adjustments to the support plan as needed. This ensures that the interventions are effective and that the Participant is making meaningful improvements in their quality of life.
• Ethical Considerations: PBS is guided by ethical principles such as respect, dignity, and the right to self-determination. It prioritizes the individual's well-being and avoids the use of restrictive practices unless absolutely necessary and with appropriate safeguards in place.

Key NDIS Considerations for Positive Behaviour Support

The NDIS recognizes the importance of PBS in supporting Participants with complex needs. Here's how PBS fits within the NDIS framework:

• Funding for Behaviour Support: The NDIS can provide funding for behaviour support services, including assessments, plan development, and ongoing support from qualified behaviour support practitioners. This funding usually falls under the "Capacity Building" support category, specifically "Improved Relationships."
• Behaviour Support Plan: A crucial element of PBS within the NDIS is the development and implementation of a Behaviour Support Plan. This plan outlines the strategies and interventions that will be used to support the Participant in achieving their goals. The plan must be developed by a qualified behaviour support practitioner and should be regularly reviewed and updated.
• Restrictive Practices: The NDIS has strict guidelines regarding the use of restrictive practices, which are interventions that limit a person's freedom of movement or choice. Restrictive practices should only be used as a last resort, when all other options have been exhausted, and must be implemented in accordance with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission guidelines. The use of restrictive practices must be clearly documented in the Behaviour Support Plan and regularly reviewed.
• Implementation Support: Simply having a plan isn't enough. The NDIS can also fund supports to assist with the implementation of the Behaviour Support Plan. This may include training for Support Workers, family members, and other relevant individuals on how to implement the strategies outlined in the plan.
• Provider Registration: To provide behaviour support services under the NDIS, providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This ensures that providers meet certain standards of quality and safety. When choosing a behaviour support provider, it's important to check their registration status and ensure they have the necessary qualifications and experience.

Practical Steps to Access and Implement Positive Behaviour Support

Here are some practical steps that Participants and their families can take to access and implement PBS within the NDIS:

1. Identify the Need: The first step is to identify that there are behaviours of concern that are impacting the Participant's quality of life or the safety of themselves or others. This could involve speaking with family members, Support Workers, or other professionals who work with the Participant.
2. Gather Information: Collect information about the behaviours of concern. This could involve keeping a diary of when the behaviours occur, what triggers them, and what happens afterward. This information will be helpful for the behaviour support practitioner in conducting an assessment.
3. Seek an Assessment: Engage a qualified behaviour support practitioner to conduct a comprehensive assessment. This assessment will involve gathering information from the Participant, their family, Support Workers, and other relevant individuals. The practitioner will use this information to develop a Behaviour Support Plan.
4. Develop a Behaviour Support Plan: Work collaboratively with the behaviour support practitioner to develop a plan that is tailored to the Participant's unique needs and goals. The plan should include:
   • A clear description of the behaviours of concern
   • An analysis of the underlying reasons for the behaviours
   • Proactive strategies to prevent the behaviours from occurring
   • Reactive strategies to manage the behaviours when they do occur
   • A plan for monitoring progress and making adjustments to the plan as needed
5. Implement the Plan: Ensure that everyone involved in the Participant's care is trained on how to implement the Behaviour Support Plan. This may involve providing training to Support Workers, family members, and other relevant individuals.
6. Monitor and Review: Regularly monitor the Participant's progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed. This should involve regular meetings with the behaviour support practitioner and other members of the support team.
7. NDIS Plan Reviews: Ensure PBS and its associated supports are included and reviewed as part of the Participant's NDIS Plan Reviews. Advocate for sufficient funding to implement the plan effectively. If you feel you are not getting the supports you need, you can request an internal review of the NDIS decision.

Conclusion

Positive Behaviour Support is a powerful tool for empowering Participants with disabilities to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. By focusing on understanding the underlying reasons for challenging behaviours and developing proactive strategies to support positive change, PBS can help Participants to live more fulfilling and independent lives. By understanding how PBS works within the NDIS framework and taking the practical steps outlined in this article, Participants and their families can access the support they need to make a real difference. Remember, seeking professional guidance from a qualified behavior support practitioner is key to developing and implementing an effective plan that truly meets the individual needs of the Participant.