Positive behaviour supports
Supporting people to live happier, healthier lives.
Sometimes people display behaviours that indicate they require additional support.
We recognise that often these behaviours are a sign that the person is trying to communicate some discomfort or stress or has an unmet need.
When these behaviours are considered high risk for the person or the people around them, we work with the person and other significant people in their life to develop a positive behaviour support plan which includes strategies to manage the behaviours.
Sometimes a strategy might involve the use of a restrictive practice. Be assured, that the use of restrictive practices is an option of last resort, and at all times we will uphold and protect the person’s rights and dignity.
One of the central aims of positive behaviour supports, is to eliminate the use of restrictive practices
Examples of high-risk behaviours that could be harmful include:
- self-harm
- hurting others (pinching, hitting, biting)
- breaking objects
- refusing to do something (eating, taking medicine)
- screaming or swearing
- undressing
- hiding from others
Our Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner uses evidence-based strategies to improve the quality of life of people who display behaviours of concern, as often they are excluded from doing the everyday things that we take for granted.
Our approach recognises that in order for people to learn, grow and develop, they need the right skills and the right environments throughout all parts of their lives.
In simple terms, Positive Behaviour Supports are personalised and evidenced-based practices and activities that focus on the things a person likes to do – like going to the places they enjoy visiting and being with the people they like to be around.
Positive behaviour supports work best in a continuous learning environment where we remove the activities that a person doesn’t want or like to do, or we change the way things are done so that the activities are more pleasing and enjoyable for a person.
Our team is MAYBO trained
At CSBS, we’re committed to providing the highest quality of care for the people who choose us to support them. Our Support Workers who support participants with Restrictive Practices are trained in Maybo, a leading program in positive behaviour support.
Maybo training equips our staff with the skills and knowledge to:
- Reduce the risk of challenging behaviors and workplace violence: Maybo focuses on prevention and management strategies to create a safer environment for both participants and staff.
- Understand and meet individual needs: By understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviors, our staff can develop personalised support plans.
- Use positive approaches: Maybo emphasises positive strategies for managing behaviors, including effective communication and de-escalation techniques.
- Implement safe working practices: Our staff learn essential skills to reduce the risk of injury while working with individuals who may exhibit challenging behaviors.
With Maybo training, you can trust that our staff are equipped to provide safe, effective, and person-centered support. You can learn more abot Maybo training – HERE
How can we help with Positive Behaviour Support?
Behaviour Supports FAQ’s
What are Positive Behaviour Supports?
In simple terms, Positive Behaviour Supports are personalised and evidenced-based practices and activities that focus on the things a person likes to do – like going to the places they enjoy visiting and being with the people they like to be around.
What are restrictive practices?
Restrictive practices are considered harmful to human rights and should only be used as a last resort and for the shortest time possible. A behavior support plan developed by an NDIS practitioner may include them if necessary. Such plans must be reviewed annually.
The NDIS Rules identify five regulated restrictive practices:
- Seclusion: Confining a person alone in a space.
- Chemical restraint: Using medications to control behavior.
- Mechanical restraint: Using devices to restrict movement.
- Physical restraint: Using force to control behavior.
- Environmental restraint: Limiting access to environments, items, or activities.
Under the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018, certain practices are subject to regulation.
The use of restrictive practices (RP) to ‘address’ behaviours can be a serious breach of a person’s human rights – the use of RP is therefore embedded in legislation and regulated by both state and federal governments.
What is a behaviour support practitioner?
A Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) assesses a person’s needs and develops a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies to build a person’s skills and improve their quality of life.
The strategies and activities in a person’s PBSP are based on the findings and assessment of a qualified professional called a Behaviour Support Practitioner. The practitioner is registered with the NDIS to assess a person’s needs and to develop a plan that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies.
When a PBSP contains one or more restrictive practices, the finalised PBSP must be lodged with the NDIS as the regulating authority and providers must report on the use of all restrictive practices every time they are used.
What does a Behaviour Support Practitioner actually do?
When a person has a PBSP, it becomes the blueprint for how workers and other people interact within a person’s environment, so that person can live their best life.
Because there are no two plans alike, one of the key roles of the Behaviour Support Practitioner is to train, coach, and mentor the people who are important in a person’s life – that’s anyone who may have an impact in a person’s environment.
The training helps everyone to understand the person and their needs, as well as how to safely use the strategies in the PBSP – thisis an integral part of delivering positive behaviour supports.
What is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP)?
A Positive Behaviour Support Plan, also called a PBSP for short, is a plan that is developed in consultation with the person and the important people in that person’s life.
The strategies and activities in a person’s PBSP are based on the findings and assessment of a qualified professional called a Behaviour Support Practitioner. The practitioner is registered with the NDIS to assess a person’s needs and to develop a plan that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies.
When a PBSP* contains one or more restrictive practices, the finalised PBSP must be lodged with the NDIS as the regulating authority and providers must report on the use of all restrictive practices every time they are used.
*A PBSP that does not contain the use of RP, does not need to be lodged with the NDIS Commission as it does not contain a regulatory requirement.
What are the types of restrictive practices?
- Seclusion: Seclusion is the confinement of a person with a disability to a room or physical space. Usually, this will mean that the movement of a person will be restricted and they are not able to voluntarily leave.
- Chemical restraint: Chemical restraint is the use of medications or chemical substances in order to influence behaviour. Chemical restraints include the use of sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs. Chemical restraint does not include medication prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of a diagnosed mental disorder, physical illness or physical condition.
- Mechanical restraint: Mechanical restraint is the use of a device that prevents, restricts, or subdues movement. This includes things like padded gloves or waist straps. It does not include devices used for therapeutic or non-behavioural purposes.
- Physical restraint: Physical restraint is the use of physical force to prevent or restrict a person’s body or a part of their body. This may include holding somebody’s arms or other limbs. It does not cover the use of a hands-on technique to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm or injury.
- Environmental restraint: Environmental restraint is the restriction of a person’s free access to all parts of their environment, including items or activities.
How does a person's environment influence their behaviour?
Family, friends, strangers, health professionals, and anyone who comes into contact with a person becomes part of the person’s environment.
Support workers are an integral part of a person’s environment, and a worker’s words and actions can be central to how a person does or doesn’t act in different, challenging, or uncomfortable situations.
Should a person react to their environment with behaviours of concern, it will always be our aim to address the environmental factors that lead to the person engaging in that behaviour – this is one of the central messages of positive behaviour support.
Meet our behaviour support team
Brett Fitzsimmons
Psychologist & Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
Brett Fitzsimmons is our on-site psychologist with more than 20 years’ experience working with children and adults with disability and mental health concerns.
Brett has first-hand experience supporting people with high and complex needs including people with dual diagnosis and people who are the subject of regulated restrictive practices and forensic orders relating to behaviours of concern.
Since 2006, Brett has worked in a variety of roles for Department of Communities, Child safety and Disability as a specialist response officer in a multidisciplinary clinical team and resource officer in the Intensive Behaviour Support Team.
Brett is a skilled professional who can provide counselling and psychological assessments, along with functional analysis of challenging behaviours. He has developed training resources and delivered training to workers who support people with high and complex needs.
Brett is passionate about supporting people in residential settings to live independently within their communities.
Brett is a registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board (Ahpra) and is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Griffith University), and a Bachelor of Psychological Science – Honours (University of Queensland).
Learn More About Positive Behaviour Supports
Part 1 – Reflective Practice and the Delivery of Disability Supports in Daily Life
Supporting another human in the care and support environment, requires you to reflect on your experiences, your interactions, responses, reactions, and behaviours. Understanding your style (of interaction) and reflecting on your practice, will enhance the experience...
ABC Model of Behaviour
Most workers who support people with disability will have come across the ABC Model of Behaviour at some point in their work life. Many workers that I speak to about ABC, hear the terminology and immediately think of it as a simple recording tool, when in fact it is...
What Triggers You?
In discussions regarding behaviour support, it’s common for the topic of ’triggers’ to arise. In fact, in my experience, it’s common for the topic to be the sole focus of the discussion. I often hear support workers say that they must understand a person’s triggers,...
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