A behaviour support plan is a written document, prepared with the person and the people who support them, that sets out strategies to meet the person’s needs and reduce behaviours of concern. Positive behaviour support is the approach behind it. Families often hear these terms, plus “PBSP”, used as if they all mean the same thing, and the process can feel like something done to the person rather than with them. This guide walks through each stage under the NDIS rules, with the real timeframes, and what you can ask for along the way. We provide positive behaviour support in Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but these rules apply across Australia.
Positive behaviour support, behaviour support plans and PBSPs: the words explained
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an approach based on evidence, values and rights. The NDIS Commission describes it as focusing on a person’s quality of life and on understanding the reasons behind a behaviour, rather than only trying to stop it.
A behaviour support plan is the document. “PBSP”, short for positive behaviour support plan, is everyday shorthand for the same thing, not a separate kind of plan. Under the NDIS rules there are two types: interim and comprehensive.
The NDIA’s behaviour support guideline starts from a simple idea: every behaviour has a purpose. A behaviour of concern is often the way a person communicates a need, and a good plan looks for that need first.
Who can write a behaviour support plan
Only an NDIS behaviour support practitioner can write one. That’s someone the NDIS Commission considers suitable, engaged by a provider registered to deliver specialist behaviour support. The NDIA can’t fund behaviour support from unregistered providers, or from practitioners the Commission hasn’t approved.
To look for a practitioner, you can use the Commission’s Find an NDIS behaviour support practitioner page, and you can check any provider’s registration on the NDIS Provider Register.
Step 1. The functional behaviour assessment
Every comprehensive plan has to include a functional behaviour assessment. The practitioner looks at why a behaviour happens, where and when it tends to happen, and how it affects the person’s life. They also take into account the person’s culture, beliefs and circumstances.
The person, their family and their support team usually know the most about this, so expect plenty of questions. Good answers here shape everything that follows.
Step 2. The interim behaviour support plan (within 1 month)
An interim plan is needed when a restrictive practice is being used without authorisation, is being used outside an existing plan and is likely to continue, or is likely to be needed. It covers the person’s immediate needs while the fuller assessment is done.
The practitioner must develop the interim plan within 1 month of the provider being engaged, and it’s lodged with the NDIS Commission. “Engaged” generally means the date of the service agreement, or a date set out in it.
Step 3. The comprehensive behaviour support plan (within 6 months)
The comprehensive plan must be developed within 6 months of the provider being engaged, and it’s also lodged with the Commission. It builds on the functional behaviour assessment and sets out strategies for the person, their family, carers and support workers.
In the NDIA guideline’s terms, a comprehensive plan is there to:
- give everyone supporting the person clear, shared guidance
- support the person’s safety and wellbeing
- build on the person’s strengths
- build capacity and life skills
- reduce, and where possible stop, the use of restrictive practices.
Restrictive practices and the rules around them
A restrictive practice is anything that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. The NDIS regulates five types:
- Seclusion: keeping a person alone in a room or space they can’t freely leave.
- Chemical restraint: using medication mainly to influence behaviour.
- Mechanical restraint: using a device to prevent, restrict or subdue movement.
- Physical restraint: using physical force to prevent, restrict or subdue movement.
- Environmental restraint: limiting free access to parts of the person’s environment, including items or activities.
A regulated restrictive practice can only be included in a plan if it is clearly written, authorised by the relevant state or territory body, used as a last resort, used for the shortest possible time, in proportion to the risk, and the least restrictive option. In Queensland, authorisation of some restrictive practices sits under the Disability Services Act 2006.
The NDIA can’t fund restrictive practices that aren’t allowed in your state, or seclusion rooms. And the aim of any plan that includes a restrictive practice is always to reduce and eliminate its use. The NDIS Commission explains this in more detail on its page about understanding behaviour support and restrictive practices.
Step 4. Putting the plan into practice and reviewing it
A plan only works if the people around the person use it every day. The NDIA can fund training for staff who use the plan, monitoring by the practitioner, and positive behaviour support training for a family member, friend or carer. This matters at the family home and in supported independent living, where a rostered team needs to follow the same strategies. Some people also work with other allied health professionals, such as through occupational therapy, and it helps when everyone shares what’s working.
Plans that include restrictive practices must be reviewed when the person’s situation changes, or at least every 12 months. When a new plan is developed, a copy goes to the NDIA.
What families can ask for at each step
You’re part of this process, not an observer. At each stage you can ask for:
- A real say. The person must be consulted, and the plan explained in a way they can understand. Ask for a plain English version.
- A clear measure of progress. Ask how you’ll all know the strategies are working.
- Training for the support team. Ask who will train workers and family, and when.
- A reduction plan. If a restrictive practice is included, ask how its use will be reduced, not just the rules for using it.
- The review date. Ask when the next review is due, and tell the practitioner if things change before then.
Positive behaviour support in Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Velocity Support Services is a registered NDIS provider based at 273 Brisbane St, Ipswich, offering evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) across Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Our practitioners develop and review behaviour support plans in line with the NDIS Practice Standards, the NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS behaviour support requirements. Our work includes:
- functional behaviour assessments
- developing and putting behaviour support plans into practice
- building skills for communication, emotional regulation and independence
- reducing or eliminating restrictive practices
- training and coaching for staff and families
- working with other professionals and reviewing progress.
PBS is part of our allied health services. Health professionals can make a referral online.
Common questions about behaviour support plans
What is the difference between an interim and a comprehensive behaviour support plan?
An interim plan is short-term. It covers immediate needs, particularly where a restrictive practice is in use, and must be developed within 1 month of the provider being engaged. A comprehensive plan follows within 6 months. It’s built on a functional behaviour assessment and sets out longer-term strategies for the person and their support team.
How long does it take to get a behaviour support plan?
Under the NDIS rules, an interim plan is due within 1 month of the specialist behaviour support provider being engaged, and a comprehensive plan within 6 months. “Engaged” generally means the date of the service agreement, or a date named in it. Ask your provider when they expect each stage to be finished.
Who can write an NDIS behaviour support plan?
An NDIS behaviour support practitioner whom the NDIS Commission considers suitable, engaged by a registered specialist behaviour support provider. You can search for practitioners on the Commission’s website and check a provider’s registration on the NDIS Provider Register.
Does the NDIS pay for positive behaviour support?
It can. The NDIA funds behaviour support assessments, interim and comprehensive plans, training and monitoring for staff who use a plan, and positive behaviour support training for a family member, friend or carer. The support must come from a registered provider and a practitioner the Commission has approved.
What are restrictive practices under the NDIS?
They’re practices that restrict a person’s rights or freedom of movement. The five regulated types are seclusion and chemical, mechanical, physical and environmental restraint. They can only be used as a last resort, for the shortest time, in proportion to the risk, as the least restrictive option, and with state or territory authorisation.
How often is a behaviour support plan reviewed?
If the plan includes regulated restrictive practices, it must be reviewed whenever the person’s situation changes, or at least every 12 months. If something changes or a strategy stops working, tell the practitioner; a change in the person’s situation is itself a reason to review.
Talk to our behaviour support team
If you have questions about behaviour support plans, or want to talk about what positive behaviour support could look like for your family, we’re here to listen. Call 1300 479 764 or contact our team, and we’ll talk it through with you.
