Specialised & Positive Behaviour Support: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Welcome to our guide on specialized and positive behaviour support. This evidence-based approach is designed to help individuals with complex needs by understanding the root causes of their actions. Instead of just reacting to behaviours, this method focuses on creating a comprehensive behaviour support plan tailored to each person. The ultimate goal is to offer proactive strategies and supportive environments that reduce concerning behaviours and significantly improve an individual's overall quality of life. According to the NDIS guidelines, the main principles of positive behaviour support include respecting the person's rights, promoting choice and inclusion, using preventative and proactive strategies, reducing restrictive practices, and emphasizing collaboration with the individual, their family, and support network.

Key Highlights

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

• Specialist behaviour support is designed for individuals with high and complex needs, going beyond general services.

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

• A behaviour support plan is developed based on a thorough assessment to provide tailored, proactive strategies.

• Regulated restrictive practices are used only as a last resort and are carefully managed with the aim of reduction.

Specialized Behaviour Support: What Sets It Apart

Specialized behaviour support offers higher-level care for individuals with complex needs and challenging behaviours. Unlike general services, it uses a multidisciplinary team of experienced clinicians to address significant risks and underlying issues, while prioritizing human rights and meaningful change.

Qualified behaviour support practitioners aim to reduce or eliminate restrictive practices. Through thorough assessments, they create strategies that manage challenging behaviours and empower individuals, promoting independence and well-being. Next, we’ll examine the differences between specialized and general support and the roles of practitioners.

Differences Between Specialized and General Behaviour Support Services

The key difference between general and specialized behaviour support services is the complexity and risk level of the needs addressed. General support suits less frequent or lower-risk behaviours, while specialized intervention is vital for individuals with complex needs at significant risk.

Specialized NDIS behaviour support practitioners typically have advanced training and work within multidisciplinary teams (e.g., psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists) for a holistic, tailored approach. In contrast, general services are often delivered by a single practitioner with a broader but less intensive focus.

Key differences:

Role of Specialized Practitioners Under the NDIS

Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), behaviour support practitioners are regulated by the NDIS Commission. Their main role is to improve quality of life by understanding individual needs and creating strategies for positive behaviours, working closely with the person, their family, and support team.

Practitioners must follow the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework, conducting Functional Behaviour Assessments to identify causes of behaviours and developing Behaviour Support Plans with proactive and skill-building strategies.

They also submit documentation, such as interim plans and progress reports, to the NDIS Commission. Practitioners train carers and support workers to ensure consistent implementation at home, school, and in the community.

Creating Effective Positive Behaviour Support Plans

An effective positive behaviour support plan is essential for quality care. It’s a personalized guide developed through data collection and functional behaviour assessments to understand the reasons behind challenging behaviours—not just the actions themselves.

By emphasizing proactive strategies, the plan fosters a safe, healthy environment and enhances quality of life. It provides clear steps for support teams, focusing on skill building and minimizing restrictive interventions. The next sections will outline how to develop and implement a positive approach to challenging behaviours.

Steps to Develop a Functional and Comprehensive Support Plan

A comprehensive support plan focuses on the individual and their support network, including family and carers. It begins by building trust and understanding the person’s goals and environment.

Practitioners then assess behaviour using tools like functional behaviour assessments, observations, and interviews to identify triggers and unmet needs.

Key steps include:

• Interim Plan: If restrictive practices are used, develop a short-term safety plan within one month.

• Functional Behaviour Assessment: Analyze underlying causes of behaviour.

• Comprehensive Plan: Establish proactive strategies and skill-building methods.

• Implementation and Monitoring: Train the support team and review progress regularly, adjusting as needed.

Addressing Challenging Behaviours Through Positive Strategies

Positive behaviour support shifts from controlling challenging behaviours to preventing them through proactive, skill-building strategies. It recognizes these behaviours as communication, often signaling unmet needs, frustration, pain, or sensory overload. The focus is on addressing root causes—not just symptoms.

Professionals like social workers and occupational therapists use this approach to give individuals and their support teams practical tools. Instead of reacting to outbursts, they create environments and routines that minimize triggers and encourage calm—such as adjusting physical spaces, providing clear schedules, or teaching alternative communication.

Key areas include:

• Functional Communication: Teaching effective ways to express needs and emotions.

• Emotional Regulation: Helping manage stress or sensory overload.

• Daily Living Skills: Building problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills.

• Consistent Support: Training families and caregivers to use these strategies for lasting results.

Restrictive Practices in Positive Behaviour Support

Restrictive practices may sometimes be necessary to prevent harm, but they limit a person’s rights or freedom and are tightly regulated. Positive behaviour support aims to reduce or eliminate these measures by addressing the root causes of challenging behaviour.

Any use of regulated restrictive practices must be documented in a behaviour support plan and reported to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This ensures they are used only as a last resort, for the shortest time possible, and with respect for human rights. Let’s review what these practices involve and the ethical guidelines that govern them.

Understanding Regulated Restrictive Practices and Ethical Considerations

Regulated restrictive practices are interventions used only when necessary to manage serious safety risks. These practices follow strict legal and ethical guidelines to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Positive behaviour support aims to eliminate the need for such practices.

From a human rights standpoint, any restriction must be justified, documented, and regularly reviewed, with a focus on finding safer, positive alternatives that meet individual needs. Ethical standards require support providers to prioritize dignity and well-being, always using the least restrictive option.

Types of regulated restrictive practices include:

• Physical restraint: Preventing movement by holding someone.

• Chemical restraint: Using medication to control behaviour, not to treat a diagnosed health condition.

• Seclusion: Placing someone alone in a space they cannot leave.

• Environmental restraint: Restricting access by locking doors or cupboards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, specialized positive behaviour support provides a personalized approach to improving the lives of individuals with behavioural challenges. By assessing each person’s needs and creating comprehensive support plans, practitioners address behaviours using ethical, positive strategies. Families and caregivers are essential partners in ensuring support is both effective and respectful of individual rights.

For guidance or more information about available specialized support, reach out daar for a consultation or call at 02 9133 2500. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can provide specialized positive behaviour support in Australia?

Specialized positive behaviour support is provided by a qualified behaviour support practitioner or an NDIS behaviour support practitioner. These professionals, who may be part of a multidisciplinary team, offer support services that adhere to the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework to ensure high-quality and ethical care for individuals with complex needs.

What types of behaviours are addressed using positive behaviour support?

Positive behaviour support addresses various behaviours of concern, also known as challenging behaviours, such as physical aggression, self-harm, or withdrawal. The assessment process focuses on understanding the reasons for these actions to create a support plan that improves a person's overall quality of life, not just manage the behaviour.

Where can families and carers find specialized services near them?

Families and carers can find specialized support services by contacting the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or reaching out to a large disability service provider in their area. Your existing support networks can also be a valuable resource for recommendations that promote greater community participation and connection to local services.