Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) empowers individuals to develop new, safe, and socially appropriate ways of expressing themselves. We prioritize human rights by working collaboratively with individuals to understand their needs. PBS focuses on creating personalized strategies that reduce the need for restrictive practices and equip individuals with effective communication skills.

These behaviours can affect a person's well-being, social inclusion, and physical safety, or disrupt their daily life.

Examples include, but are not limited to: self-harm, physical or verbal aggression toward others, disruptive behaviour, running away, social withdrawal or difficulty communicating needs effectively.

Restrictive practices are interventions that limit a person's freedom of movement or access to activities. These are used as a last resort and aim to be minimized or eliminated through Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies. As defined by NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission.

Some examples include:

• Seclusion: Confining an individual in a room.
• Environmental Restraint: Limiting access to specific areas or items.
• Chemical Restraint: Medication used primarily to influence behaviour (excluding medications for medical reasons).
• Mechanical Restraint: Devices used to restrict movement (e.g., wheelchair seatbelt for someone who can walk).
• Physical Restraint: Physical force used to restrict or control movement.

Our focus: PBS prioritizes understanding the reasons behind behaviours and developing alternative strategies, reducing the need for restrictive practices whenever possible.

What is a PBSP?

A PBSP is a personalized plan outlining strategies and support for individuals who exhibit behaviours of concern.

What's included in a PBSP?

• Person-Centered Background: Information about the individual and their unique needs.
• Understanding Behaviours: Details describing the behaviours of concern and their potential triggers.
• Environmental Adjustments: Strategies to modify the environment and reduce the likelihood of the behaviour.
• New Skill Development: Teaching new skills to replace behaviours of concern.
• Responding to Behaviours: Clear strategies for addressing the behaviour when it occurs.
• Restrictive Practices: A review of any existing restrictive practices, along with justification for their use (if necessary).
• Reducing Restrictive Practices: Strategies to gradually decrease reliance on restrictive practices over time.

What are the benefits of a PBSP?

PBSPs promote positive interactions and a more supportive environment for both the individual and their caregivers. They prioritize understanding the reasons behind behaviours and developing alternative solutions, ultimately reducing the need for restrictive practices.

Here's a breakdown of the different reports generated during the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) process:

• Consultation Report / Recommendation Report: This report identifies any Behaviours of Concern and potential need for restrictive practices. It's the initial assessment step.
• Restrictive Practices Consultation Report (Young People in Aged Care): This report specifically investigates restrictive practices currently used for young people in aged care settings. It must be completed and sent to the NDIS Commission within 30 days of receiving a referral.
• Functional Behavioural Assessment: This assessment dives deeper into Behaviours of Concern, identifying "where," "when," and the potential reasons ("hypothesis") why the behaviours occur.
• Interim Behaviour Support Plan: This temporary plan focuses on minimizing risks associated with existing restrictive practices. It needs to be completed and submitted to the NDIS Commission within 1 month after a Support Provider identifies the use of Restrictive Practices and appoints a Behaviour Practitioner.
• Comprehensive Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP): This comprehensive plan is developed collaboratively with the individual, their family, and support network. It incorporates the FBA and focuses on reducing Behaviours of Concerns and minimizing the use of restrictive practices. The plan must be completed and submitted to the NDIS Commission within 6 months and reviewed annually.
• Progress / NDIS Review Reports: These reports are completed 6 weeks before an NDIS plan review to assess progress and update the NDIS Commission on the effectiveness of the PBS strategies.

Remember: This is just a simplified explanation. Always consult with a qualified Behaviour Practitioner for further details and specific requirements.

Behaviour support funding comes from a separate pool called Improved Relationships within your NDIS plan. This pool is further divided into two categories:

• Specialist Behaviour Intervention (SBI): Funds intensive behaviour support strategies implemented by qualified Behaviour Practitioners.
• Behaviour Management Plan and Training (BMT): Funds development of a Behaviour Management Plan and training for caregivers on implementing the plan.

What if my NDIS plan doesn't currently have Improved Relationships funding?

If your plan lacks dedicated Behaviour Support funding, you can use up to 10 hours from your Improved Daily Living (IDL) funding to create a consultation report. This report will:

• Identify potential Behaviours of Concern (BOCs)
• Recommend the need for Behaviour Support
• Motivate a request for funding allocation in the "Improved Relationships" category during your next NDIS plan review.

Important Note: This use of improved daily living funds covers information gathering and report writing only. It doesn't include development of Behaviour Support strategies or ongoing support services.

Recommendation:

Consider discussing Behaviour Support funding needs with your NDIS suppor coordinator during your next plan review. The consultation report can be a valuable tool to advocate for the allocation of "Improved Relationships" funding in your plan.