Unlocking Positive Behaviour Support for NDIS Participants

Introduction

When you or a loved one experiences challenging behaviours, it can impact wellbeing and daily life. These behaviours often signal unmet needs or communication difficulties. Positive behaviour support (PBS) offers a caring, evidence-based approach to help. It focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviours to develop personalized strategies. By working with a support team, you can build skills, increase independence, and improve your overall quality of life in a meaningful and lasting way.

Key Highlights

• Positive behaviour support is a person-centered approach to understanding and addressing challenging behaviours.

• The goal is to improve an individual's quality of life by teaching new skills and creating supportive environments.

• A behaviour support plan outlines personalized strategies based on a thorough assessment of an individual’s needs.

• The NDIS provides funding for these essential support services for eligible participants.

• Any use of restrictive practices is strictly regulated and must be documented with a plan for reduction.

What Is Positive Behaviour Support in the NDIS?

Positive behaviour support in the NDIS aims to improve quality of life and reduce challenging behaviours by understanding their root causes, not just managing actions. Behaviour support practitioners identify triggers and develop positive alternatives through a person-centered approach that creates supportive environments and teaches new skills.

Specialized behaviour support provides intensive, highly tailored interventions for individuals with complex needs, helping them stay safe and build everyday skills.

Core Principles of Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) focuses on understanding each person's strengths and needs, aiming to improve lives by addressing the causes of behaviour—not just controlling it.

Unlike traditional reactive methods, PBS uses proactive strategies to prevent challenges. Key principles include:

• Identifying the purpose of behaviour

• Building communication and life skills

• Creating supportive environments

• Using data for decisions

PBS plans are developed with you and your support network for consistent, effective help. While specialized support handles complex cases, PBS provides a proactive foundation for all levels of need.

How Positive Behaviour Support Helps Individuals with Disabilities

Positive behaviour support (PBS) improves quality of life by addressing the root causes of challenging behaviours, leading to lasting change for people with disabilities.

PBS focuses on skill development, teaching new ways to communicate needs, manage emotions, and interact—like using cards to request breaks or learning emotional regulation. These skills boost confidence and independence.

PBS tailors strategies to each person, creating a supportive environment that reduces stress and anxiety—the main triggers for difficult behaviours. This helps individuals engage in the community, build relationships, and enjoy a better quality of life.

The Role of NDIS in Promoting Positive Behaviour Support

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) makes positive behaviour support accessible by funding evidence-based, person-centered services. This support helps participants achieve their goals through tailored plans based on individual needs.

NDIS behaviour support is for those whose behaviours affect daily life, learning, or community participation. Eligibility depends on the impact of the behaviour, not just diagnosis. The NDIS funds personalized approaches to equip you and your support staff with effective strategies.

Funding covers assessments and practical interventions, differentiating between general support and intensive help for complex needs.

Who Can Access Positive Behaviour Support Services Under the NDIS?

Access to NDIS positive behaviour support services is based on your individual needs, not just a diagnosis. If behaviours create barriers to safety, learning, or community participation for you or someone you support, you may be eligible. The focus is on how these behaviours impact daily life.

Eligibility is determined during your NDIS planning meeting, where you’ll discuss how these services can help you achieve your goals with a formal support plan tailored to your needs.

Eligibility Criteria for NDIS Behaviour Support

To access NDIS funding for behaviour support, you must meet general eligibility criteria:

• Age: Under 65 at your first application

• Residency: Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder

• Disability: Permanent and significant disability impacting daily activities

Specialized support is recommended when behaviours pose harm or seriously affect daily life, learning, or relationships—particularly for complex needs beyond standard therapy. The NDIS requires evidence that a tailored approach is needed. Oversight from the NDIS Commission ensures quality and safety.

How Families and Carers Can Benefit

Positive behaviour support benefits both individuals and their families. Caring for someone with complex behaviours is emotionally challenging, but these services provide practical strategies and deeper understanding to reduce stress.

Working with professionals involves your family in the solution. You’ll receive training to consistently apply the behaviour support plan, ensuring everyone feels confident and care remains effective.

This approach fosters shared understanding and better communication at home. You gain tools to create a more positive, predictable environment—helping your loved one thrive and improving overall family wellbeing.

Developing a Positive Behaviour Support Plan

A positive behaviour support plan is a detailed, individualized document that outlines practical strategies to help you. It’s more than just a behaviour management plan; it’s a roadmap for improving quality of life. This support plan is created after a thorough assessment to understand the reasons behind specific behaviours.

The plan translates those findings into clear, actionable steps. It includes proactive strategies to prevent difficult situations and teaches new skills for communication and emotional regulation. It is designed to be used by everyone involved in your care, ensuring a consistent approach across all environments.

Steps Involved in Creating an Effective Support Plan

Creating an effective positive behaviour support plan begins with understanding the individual. Collaboration with the participant, their family, and support team is essential. The process starts with a thorough assessment to identify the function of the behaviour.

This involves gathering data to pinpoint triggers and patterns. Based on these insights, the plan sets clear, achievable goals and outlines proactive (preventative) and reactive (incident management) strategies. Key steps include:

• Conducting a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)

• Setting clear goals with the participant and family

• Developing proactive strategies and teaching replacement skills

• Documenting reactive strategies for safety

The final plan serves as a practical guide for everyone involved, detailing roles and responsibilities to ensure consistent implementation at home, school, and in the community—promoting lasting positive change.

Monitoring and Reviewing Behaviour Support Plans

A behaviour support plan is a dynamic document that requires ongoing monitoring and regular reviews to stay effective and relevant. The support team tracks progress and adjusts the plan as needed.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission sets provider standards and oversees the use of regulated restrictive practices. Continuous data collection measures outcomes—such as reduced challenging behaviours and increased skills—to help the team assess what’s working.

Regular meetings with your practitioner and support team review progress, address issues, and update the plan. This ensures continued safety, skill development, and quality of life, while following Safeguards Commission guidelines.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) within the NDIS is key to improving outcomes for people with disabilities. By emphasizing positive reinforcement and individualized support plans, PBS helps participants build essential skills and enhance well-being. Families and carers are vital to making this support effective and lasting. As you navigate the NDIS and behaviour strategies, remember that tailored support can drive meaningful change.

For more on implementing these strategies, reach out today for a consultation or call daar at 02 9133 2500!

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications should a behaviour support practitioner have under the NDIS?

A behaviour support practitioner must be deemed suitable by the NDIS Commission. They typically hold a degree in a field like psychology or education and must demonstrate competence against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework. This ensures they can provide high-quality, safe, and effective specialist behaviour support services that meet NDIS quality standards.

Are restrictive practices used in positive behaviour support, and how are they managed?

Yes, but only as a last resort to prevent harm. Any use of a regulated restrictive practice, such as physical restraint, is strictly overseen by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. These practices must be documented in a behaviour support plan with a clear goal of reducing and eliminating their use over time.

Is positive behaviour support effective for children with autism in Australia?

Absolutely. Positive behaviour support is highly effective for children with autism, especially as an early intervention. A qualified behaviour support practitioner can help with skill development in areas like communication and emotional regulation. This approach improves social skills and enhances the overall quality of life for the child and their family.