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Creating an Effective Positive Behaviour Support Plan: Key Strategies and Tips

Writer's picture: IRIS CollectiveIRIS Collective

Updated: 47 minutes ago

Are you struggling to manage challenging behaviours and improve the quality of life for those you care about? You're not alone. Many caregivers face the daunting task of addressing behaviours that disrupt daily life. But what if there was a way to create a plan that manages these behaviours and enhances the overall well-being of individuals?

Enter the Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP), a powerful tool designed to transform lives by providing tailored strategies to address and improve challenging behaviours. In this article, we will guide you through creating an effective PBSP, helping you understand its key components and how they can make a significant difference in the lives of those you support. Let's embark on this journey together and discover how a well-crafted PBSP can lead to positive behaviour change and a better quality of life.


What is a Behaviour Support Plan?

A Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is a comprehensive strategy designed to address challenging behaviours by implementing informed decisions and making necessary environmental adjustments. The primary aim of a PBSP is to support individuals in leading fulfilling lives rather than merely managing behaviours of concern. Additionally, PBSPs must comply with NDIS guidelines, particularly regarding regulated restrictive practices, which are carefully documented and monitored to ensure they are applied appropriately and reduced over time.

Positive Behaviour Support Plans provide a consistent framework for caregivers, ensuring that strategies are applied uniformly and monitored effectively. A PBSP encompasses a proactive approach for skill development and reactive strategies for crisis management, emphasising prevention and understanding the individual’s behaviour.

The ultimate goal of practical behaviour support is to enhance the overall quality of life for everyone involved, including mental health. This holistic approach ensures individuals receive genuine support and fosters an environment where positive behaviour support can flourish.


Who needs a Behaviour Support Plan?

This is crafted to address a person's behaviour and foster positive outcomes for everyone involved, including:

  • Individuals with Complex Needs: Those with developmental disabilities, autism, or mental health challenges who require tailored support strategies.

  • Students in Schools: Children experiencing disruptive behaviours that impede learning require structured interventions.

  • Children and Teens: Young individuals facing emotional or social difficulties, such as anxiety or outbursts, who benefit from positive behaviour support.

  • Adults in the Workplace: Employees dealing with stress, conflicts, or adapting to change, where a supportive environment can enhance productivity.

  • Families and Caregivers: Households managing behavioural challenges at home, requiring consistent and effective behaviour support strategies.

Community Organisations: support individuals with diverse needs and ensure inclusive and proactive strategies are in place.


How Can You Identify  Behaviours of Concern?

Recognising ways to change behaviours is essential for effective and practical  behaviour support. Here's how to do it:

  • Observe  the Person: Look at what they do in different places to see when and where the behaviour happens.

  • Understand the Reasons: Discover why these behaviours happen, mainly if the person can't discuss their needs.

  • Look for Patterns (antecedents): Notice what happens before the behaviour starts. These can be clues to why it occurs.

  • Identify Changes: Changes in behaviour might mean the person has unmet needs or is stressed.

  • See Behaviours as Signals: For example, people with dementia might show aggression or wander because they are uncomfortable, not because they are misbehaving.

  • Avoid Punishment: Treat these behaviours as signs of distress and forms of communication and provide the proper support.

Positive Behaviour Support Plans help manage changing behaviours, especially in aged care. By spotting early warning signs and triggers, caregivers can use better strategies to address unwanted behaviours and make sure  participants  feel understood and supported.


Examples of Behaviours of Concern

Physical Aggression towards others

This behaviour can manifest as physical aggression , posing a risk to the safety of the individual and those around them. Therefore, it is crucial to identify triggers and implement strategies to manage these outbursts effectively.

Self-harm or self-injurious actions

Individuals may engage in behaviours that cause harm to themselves, such as hitting or scratching, and understanding the underlying causes and providing appropriate support can help reduce these actions.

Property damage/destruction

This involves damaging or destroying objects, which can be a way for individuals to express frustration or unmet needs. Addressing the root causes and the environment can help minimise such behaviours.

Verbal Aggression 

These behaviours often indicate distress or an inability to communicate effectively, so identifying triggers and teaching alternative communication methods can be beneficial.

Harm to self - Wandering 

This can be dangerous, especially for individuals who may not understand the risks involved. Implementing safety measures and understanding the reasons behind wandering are essential.

Withdrawal 

Withdrawing to participate in daily activities or care routines can disrupt the individual's schedule and affect their well-being, so understanding preferences and involving individuals in planning can improve compliance.

Repetitive questioning or actions

These behaviours can be signs of anxiety or a need for reassurance, and providing structured environments and clear communication can help manage these actions.


How is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan Developed?

Developing a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is a collaborative process that involves the individual, their support team, and other relevant professionals. A PBSP aims to address challenging behaviour and promote positive behaviour change. Here are the key steps to developing a BSP:

  1. Identify the Challenging Behaviour: The first step is pinpointing the specific behaviour causing concern. This involves gathering detailed information (observable and measurable)  about the behaviour, including its frequency, duration, and impact on the individual and others. Understanding these aspects helps create a targeted plan.

  2. Conduct a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA): A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) is essential for understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviour. This comprehensive assessment involves collecting information about the individual’s medical, social, and environmental history and  behaviour patterns. The FBA helps identify triggers and reasons behind the behaviour.

  3. Conduct a Motivational Assessment Scale (MAS): A MAS is used to identify the function of each behaviour and provides insight into implementing Functional Equivalent Replacement Behaviours (FERBs)

  4. Develop the Positive Behaviour Support Plan (BSP): Based on the insights gained from the FBA, MAS a PBSP is crafted. This plan outlines specific strategies to address the challenging behaviour, including proactive strategies to prevent the behaviour from occurring and response  strategies to manage it when it does happen. The plan should be tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences.

  5. Involve the Individual and Their Support Team: It’s crucial to involve the individual and their support team in developing the PBSP. Their input ensures the plan is person-centered and considers their unique needs and preferences. Collaboration with caregivers, teachers, and other professionals enhances the plan’s effectiveness.

  6. Review and Revise the Plan: A PBSP is not static; it should be reviewed and revised regularly to ensure its effectiveness. Regular reviews help make necessary adjustments based on the individual’s progress and any changes in behaviour or circumstances.

By following these steps, caregivers can create a comprehensive and effective PBSP that addresses challenging behaviours and promotes positive behaviour change.


Key Components of an Effective Positive Behaviour Support Plan

By understanding its main parts, caregivers can use proactive strategies,  thorough behaviour assessments, and create tailored interventions. These crucial parts not only address behaviours of concern but also help develop skills and improve the person’s overall quality of life.


1. Start with a Comprehensive Assessment

Let's start by looking closely at the situation. Watch the behaviour patterns, determine their triggers, and gather important information. This first step is crucial to discovering the real reasons behind the behaviours. Without it, you're just guessing—and that's not a good way to make a plan.


clear and measurable goals

2. Set Clear and Measurable Goals

Don't leave progress to chance. Set clear, simple behaviour goals that everyone can follow. For example, aim to reduce challenging behavior by 50% in a set time or boost positive communication. These goals give everyone a clear target to work towards.


use proactive strategies to prevent issues

3. Use Proactive Strategies to Prevent Issues

It's always better to prevent problems before they start. We suggest creating plans to remove things that might cause behaviours before they happen. This could mean setting up a routine, changing the environment reducing stressors, or ensuring precise and consistent expectations.


positive reinforcement

4. Incorporate Positive Reinforcement

One of the most effective tools in your toolkit is positive reinforcement. Reward the behaviours you want to see more of—verbal praise, a token system, or something specific to the individual’s interests. Make sure the reinforcement is meaningful to the person involved.


new skills

5. Focus on Skill Development

Instead of just managing behaviours, teach practical skills that promote behaviour change . If frustration leads to behaviours of concern , teach emotional regulation or problem-solving skills. These skills empower individuals to navigate challenges independently.


new skills

6. Have a Crisis Management Plan

Things won’t always go perfectly, and that’s okay. But you need a plan for those moments. We recommend establishing clear steps to de-escalate crises, ensure everyone’s safety, and respond calmly to challenging situations.

In some cases, restrictive practices may be necessary to ensure safety, but these should be documented and used as a last resort, focusing on reducing their use over time.


involve right people

7. Involve the Right People

Collaboration is key. Engage caregivers, teachers, therapists, and anyone involved in the individual’s life. The plan is more likely to succeed when everyone is on the same page.

monitor and update

8. Monitor Progress, Update, and Adapt

A Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) isn’t a one-and-done solution. Track progress regularly and adjust the plan as needed. If something isn’t working, tweak it. Stay flexible and open to change.


9. Respect Culture and Context

Every individual is unique, and their environment plays a critical role. Ensure your plan respects cultural values, traditions, and community needs. This ensures greater acceptance and long-term effectiveness.


10. Be Consistent Across Environments

We can’t stress this enough—consistency is everything. Apply the same strategies at home, school, and any other environment. Predictability helps build trust and reduces confusion.


How Can a Positive Behaviour Support Plan Be Implemented and Evaluated?

Implementing and evaluating a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is crucial to effectively addressing challenging behaviour. Here are the key steps to implementing and evaluating a BSP:

  1. Implement the PBSP: The individual’s support team should implement the BSP. The team should be thoroughly trained on the specific strategies outlined in the plan. Consistent implementation across different environments is key to the plan’s success.

  2. Monitor Progress: Regular monitoring is essential to tracking the effectiveness of the PBSP. This involves collecting data on the frequency, duration, and intensity of the challenging behaviour and any improvements in the individual’s quality of life. Monitoring helps identify what strategies are working and what needs adjustment.

  3. Evaluate the PBSP: Periodically evaluating the PBSP is necessary to determine its effectiveness. This involves analysing the collected data to assess whether the plan is achieving its goals. Evaluation helps to understand the impact of the PBSP on the individual’s behaviour and well-being.

  4. Revise the PBSP: Based on the evaluation results, the PBSP should be revised as necessary. This may involve modifying existing strategies or introducing new ones to better address the challenging behaviour. Regular revisions ensure that the PBSP remains relevant and practical.

These steps can help caregivers ensure that the PBSP effectively addresses challenging behaviours and promotes positive behaviour change.


What Training and Support Are Needed for Behaviour Support?

Training and support are essential to ensuring that individuals with challenging behaviour receive the support they need. Here are some key aspects of training and support:

  1. Training for Support Staff: Support staff should receive comprehensive training on the strategies outlined in the Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP). This includes understanding the rationale behind each approach and how to implement them effectively. Training ensures that support staff are equipped to provide consistent and practical support.

  2. Training for Families: Families play a crucial role in supporting individuals with challenging behaviour. It is essential to provide them with training on implementing the PBSP and managing challenging behaviours at home. This empowers families to be active participants in the support process.

  3. Ongoing Support: Ongoing support is vital for the individual and their support network. Regular check-ins, support groups, and access to professional advice help maintain the effectiveness of the PBSP and ensure that any emerging issues are addressed promptly.

  4. Crisis Support: Crisis support should be readily available to handle emergencies. This includes having emergency response plans and crisis intervention training for support staff and families. Adequate crisis support helps manage acute situations and minimise their impact.

By providing comprehensive training and ongoing support, caregivers can ensure that individuals with challenging behaviour receive the best care.


How Can You Access Behaviour Support Services?

Finding the right behaviour support services can seem daunting, but there are simple ways to access the help you need:

  1. NDIS Funding: Those with challenging behaviour may qualify for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding, which covers behaviour support services like assessments and interventions. Understanding the NDIS process is key to accessing these services.

  2. Private Funding: You can access services through private health insurance or out-of-pocket expenses. Exploring various funding options can help you find the best fit for your needs.

  3. Government Funding: Look into government programs offering grants and subsidies for behaviour support. Researching these options can provide additional resources.

  4. Referrals: Healthcare professionals like psychologists can offer referrals and connect you with suitable services.

By exploring these funding and referral options, individuals and caregivers can effectively access the behaviour support services needed to address challenging behaviours.


Recommendation

Creating a successful Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) starts by understanding the person's needs and situation. Set clear goals and find ways to handle challenging behaviours early. Including families and caregivers is essential to ensure the plan fits the person's preferences.

Keep checking and updating the PBSP to ensure it stays helpful as the person's needs change. Getting help from behaviour support services can provide useful advice and resources.

By using these methods, caregivers can encourage positive behaviour changes and improve the lives of those they help. The aim is to create a supportive environment where people feel understood and can grow.


FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)


What is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP)?

A Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is a targeted strategy to address behaviours through informed decisions and environmental changes to help individuals lead fulfilling lives.

Why is it essential to identify behaviours of concern?

What is a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)?

How can families and caregivers be involved in the PBSP process?



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Vinzcent
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