The Principles of Positive Behaviour Support

Unlocking Potential: Understanding the Principles of Positive Behaviour Support under the NDIS

Navigating challenging behaviours can be a complex journey for NDIS Participants, their families, and support networks. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) offers a framework grounded in respect, understanding, and a focus on improving quality of life. It's not about quick fixes, but about building skills, fostering independence, and creating environments where everyone can thrive. PBS is a core element of providing effective and ethical support under the NDIS. See our complete What Is A Positive Behaviour Support Plan guide to learn more about how these principles are applied in practice.

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support is more than just a set of techniques. It's a philosophy and a comprehensive approach that aims to understand the reasons behind challenging behaviours and develop strategies that:

• Improve a Participant's overall quality of life: This is the central goal. PBS looks at the whole person, considering their needs, preferences, and aspirations.
• Teach new skills: Instead of just suppressing unwanted behaviours, PBS focuses on teaching Participants new, more effective ways to communicate their needs and navigate their environment.
• Modify the environment: Creating supportive and understanding environments is crucial. This might involve adjusting routines, communication methods, or physical surroundings.
• Use positive reinforcement: Rewarding desired behaviours makes them more likely to occur in the future. This is far more effective than punishment, which can be harmful and counterproductive.

The Core Principles of Positive Behaviour Support

Several core principles underpin the PBS approach:

1. Respect and Dignity: Every Participant is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their behaviour. The focus is on understanding the behaviour, not judging the person.
2. Understanding the "Why": Challenging behaviours are often a form of communication. PBS seeks to understand the function of the behaviour – what need is the Participant trying to meet? This might be attention, escape from a task, sensory stimulation, or access to something desired. Thorough functional behaviour assessments (FBAs) are essential in uncovering these reasons.
3. Person-Centred Approach: PBS is tailored to the individual Participant's needs, preferences, and goals. The Participant (and their family/advocates) are actively involved in the planning and implementation of strategies.
4. Proactive Strategies: PBS emphasizes proactive strategies that prevent challenging behaviours from occurring in the first place. This includes creating predictable routines, providing clear expectations, and teaching alternative skills.
5. Data-Driven Decision Making: PBS relies on data collection to track progress and make informed decisions. Data helps to identify what strategies are working and what needs to be adjusted.
6. Least Restrictive Interventions: PBS prioritizes the use of the least restrictive interventions necessary to ensure the Participant's safety and the safety of others. Restrictive practices, such as physical restraint, should only be used as a last resort and with appropriate safeguards in place.
7. Focus on Skill Development: A key element of PBS is teaching Participants new skills that enable them to meet their needs in more appropriate ways. This could include communication skills, social skills, problem-solving skills, or self-regulation skills.
8. Long-Term Sustainability: PBS aims to create sustainable changes that will last over time. This requires ongoing support, monitoring, and adjustments to the plan as the Participant's needs evolve.

Key NDIS Considerations for Positive Behaviour Support

When considering PBS under the NDIS, it's crucial to understand how it fits within the framework:

• Funding: PBS can be funded under various NDIS support categories, including:
  • Capacity Building Supports – Specifically, Improved Relationships. This category is designed to fund behaviour support services.
  • Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life, where support workers implement strategies outlined in the PBS plan.
• Behaviour Support Practitioners: Under the NDIS, behaviour support plans must be developed and overseen by qualified and registered behaviour support practitioners. The NDIS Commission maintains a register of these practitioners.
• Restrictive Practices Authorisation: If a PBS plan includes any restrictive practices, these must be authorised by the relevant state or territory authority. This is a critical safeguard to protect Participants' rights and safety. The NDIS Commission has strict guidelines around the use of restrictive practices.
• Plan Reviews: The effectiveness of a PBS plan should be regularly reviewed as part of the Participant's NDIS plan review process. This allows for adjustments to be made based on the Participant's progress and changing needs.

Practical Steps for Accessing and Implementing PBS under the NDIS

1. Identify the Need: If you believe that a Participant would benefit from PBS, discuss this with their support coordinator, LAC (Local Area Coordinator), or directly with the NDIA.
2. Obtain a Referral: A referral to a registered behaviour support practitioner is usually required. Your support coordinator or LAC can assist with this.
3. Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA): The behaviour support practitioner will conduct an FBA to understand the function of the challenging behaviours. This involves gathering information from the Participant, their family, support workers, and other relevant individuals.
4. Develop a Positive Behaviour Support Plan: Based on the FBA, the behaviour support practitioner will develop a PBS plan that outlines strategies to address the challenging behaviours and improve the Participant's quality of life.
5. Implement the Plan: The PBS plan should be implemented consistently by all members of the Participant's support team, including family, support workers, and other professionals. Training and ongoing support are essential for successful implementation.
6. Monitor and Evaluate: Regularly monitor the Participant's progress and collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of the PBS plan. Make adjustments as needed based on the data.
7. Advocate for Adequate Funding: Ensure that the Participant's NDIS plan includes adequate funding for the implementation of the PBS plan, including behaviour support practitioner services, support worker training, and environmental modifications.

Conclusion

Positive Behaviour Support offers a powerful framework for supporting NDIS Participants who experience challenging behaviours. By focusing on understanding the underlying causes of these behaviours and implementing proactive, person-centred strategies, we can help Participants develop new skills, improve their quality of life, and achieve their full potential. Remember that PBS is a journey, not a destination, and ongoing commitment and collaboration are key to success. By understanding the principles and navigating the NDIS processes effectively, you can advocate for the supports that will make a real difference in the lives of Participants and their families.