Positive Behaviour Support

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred approach that focuses on addressing behaviours of concern through comprehensive assessment and tailored support plans.

Behaviours of concern are actions that may be harmful, disruptive or difficult to manage, often impacting on a person’s daily life or the lives of those around them. Challenging behaviours can include aggression, self-injury, destruction of property or refusal to follow instructions. Behaviour Support Practitioners recognise that each behaviour is a way of communicating a need or want, coping with stress or a response to an environmental trigger.

PBS practitioners work with people across the lifespan and play an important role in understanding and addressing the underlying reasons for concerning behaviours. PBS practitioners assess and understand behaviours and the impact they are having on a person’s daily living.

PBS aims to reduce behaviours by meeting a person’s needs in a positive and meaningful way. This is achieved through formulation and implementation of a PBS plan. PBS utilities person-centred approaches, using evidence-based interventions to modify environment or teach new skills to support a positive change in a person’s behaviour, rather than relying on punishment or restrictive practices.

Behaviour support plans are implemented by practitioners to reduce the risk of harm to the person and those around them. This is through implementation of individualised strategies to support the person and empower their support networks with the skills necessary to promote increased independence and improved quality of life for the individual.

APBS practitioner will conduct a comprehensive assessment, tailored to the client’s specific concerns. This assessment often includes a thorough observation and case history discussion with all familiar communication partners within the clients support network. PBS assessments will often be conducted across multiple environments (including clinic, school, home) to ensure all areas of concern are captured. Practitioners work as part of a multidisciplinary team—collaborating with Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Key Workers, as well as the client’s support network (such as family members, teachers, and guardians) to achieve the best outcomes.

Our Positive Behaviour Support team can:

1. Conduct the initial Behaviour Assessment
2. Prepare individualised Behaviour Support Plans
3. Assist and upskill the individual and support team
4. Implement positive behaviour support plans
5. Conduct Behaviour Needs Assessments