Understanding how to support positive behaviour is important for anyone involved in disability support. A positive NDIS behaviour support plan is a structured document created by a qualified practitioner that outlines strategies to encourage helpful behaviours and reduce challenging ones, with the main goal of improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. This plan is tailored to a person’s unique needs, and involves practical steps that everyone involved can follow.
When we consider the NDIS approach, a behaviour plan isn’t a one-size-fits-all document. Instead, it’s based on detailed assessments and developed in close partnership with the person, their family, and their support network. Using positive strategies, these plans help us address behaviours of concern and support people in achieving their goals, as explained in the NDIS guidelines on behaviour support plans.
Key Takeaways
- Positive NDIS behaviour support plans focus on improving quality of life.
- These plans are tailored, practical, and collaborative.
- Ongoing assessment and adjustment ensure effective behaviour support.
Understanding a Positive NDIS Behaviour Plan
A Positive NDIS Behaviour Plan is a structured approach that helps us reduce behaviours of concern and support positive change for people receiving NDIS funding. It is an evidence-based framework designed to improve quality of life and promote safety using personalised strategies.
Definition and Purpose
A Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is a personalised document that outlines practical strategies to address challenging behaviours for NDIS participants. Its purpose is to help everyone involved understand the person’s needs, behaviour triggers, and the most effective ways to respond.
The plan is developed in partnership with the person, their support network, and qualified clinicians. It promotes a shared understanding of how to encourage positive behaviours while reducing risks and restrictions. The aim is to enable greater participation in daily life and improve overall wellbeing.
A PBSP includes detailed guidance on supporting skills development, communication, and environmental adjustments. This person-centred approach ensures that strategies align with the individual’s values, preferences, and goals.
Key Principles of Positive Behaviour Support
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is built on respect for a person’s rights and dignity. It aims to understand why behaviours of concern occur and to replace them with safer, more effective alternatives. PBS uses assessment and evidence, not punishment or control, as the foundation for support.
We focus on practical changes in the environment, communication techniques, and skill-building opportunities. This can include adapting routines, using clear instructions, providing choices, and teaching coping methods. Consistent collaboration with the person, their family, and all support staff is essential.
PBS is strengths-based and promotes meaningful engagement in community and daily life. The NDIS prioritises PBS as a best practice approach when developing and reviewing behaviour support strategies.
How Behaviour Support Plans Differ
Not all behaviour support plans are the same. Under the NDIS, we distinguish between Interim Behaviour Support Plans and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans. An Interim Plan focuses on immediate safety and risk reduction for a short period, while a Comprehensive Plan is based on detailed assessment and is designed for long-term progress.
The Comprehensive PBSP addresses underlying causes of behaviours, sets measurable goals, and reinforces proactive strategies. Interim Plans are typically used when urgent action is needed, and they are replaced once a full assessment is completed.
Comprehensive Plans are more thorough, covering support for skill development, behaviour monitoring, and safeguarding human rights. More details on these differences are available in the NDIS Commission fact sheet.
Core Components of an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan
An NDIS Behaviour Support Plan relies on evidence-based tools and approaches to address challenging behaviours. By understanding individual strengths, needs, and triggers, we can implement effective interventions and improve quality of life.
Functional Behaviour Assessment
A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) is the foundation of every positive behaviour support plan. Through direct observation, interviews, and data analysis, we determine why specific behaviours occur. This involves identifying patterns, triggers, and consequences that maintain the behaviour.
The assessment looks beyond surface behaviour to uncover the function, such as gaining attention, seeking sensory input, or avoiding tasks. A thorough FBA may use checklists, incident reports, and structured interviews with key people involved. The aim is to guide the development of support strategies tailored to the person’s unique needs.
By clearly understanding the reasons behind a behaviour, we can design interventions that are more likely to succeed. Consistent monitoring and reviewing of these assessments ensure the support plan remains relevant and effective over time. For more information, see this detailed overview on core components of a PBS plan.
Person-Centred Approach
A person-centred approach places the individual at the heart of the behaviour support plan. We focus on their strengths, preferences, interests, and goals. The aim is to empower the person, building upon existing skills and enhancing independence.
Planning begins with listening to the person and those who know them well. This collaboration leads us to identify meaningful activities and valued social roles. Our strategies are flexible and adapted to the individual’s changing needs, encouraging choice and participation wherever possible.
The person-centred approach is crucial for respecting rights and dignity. It ensures we tailor each plan, rather than using generic or “one-size-fits-all” responses. In this way, support is more relevant and genuinely improves outcomes. More detail is available in the NDIS Participant Fact Sheet.
Protective and Proactive Support Strategies
Protective and proactive support strategies focus on preventing behaviours of concern and promoting positive alternatives. We include changes to routines, the environment, or communication supports that reduce triggers and stress. These strategies might involve providing structured routines, using visual supports, or modifying tasks to match the person’s abilities.
Proactive strategies help build new skills, such as emotional regulation or appropriate communication. They encourage positive behaviours rather than only reacting to behaviours once they occur. We always aim to minimise any restrictive practices and instead use supports that are least intrusive.
Regular staff training and family involvement are key, ensuring everyone understands and consistently implements the plan. Monitoring is built in so we can adjust supports as needed, promoting safety and wellbeing. For more examples of proactive support, visit the NDIS behaviour support guidance.
Tailoring Behaviour Support to Individual Needs
We need to ensure that every NDIS participant receives the right type of behaviour support for their unique needs. Personalisation is key, and practical strategies, skill-building, and mental health supports form the foundation of effective planning.
Customised Behaviour Support Plans
Customised behaviour support plans focus on understanding each person’s specific triggers, strengths, and goals. We start by gathering information about what may lead to challenging behaviours, as well as what motivates the person positively.
Using this information, we document practical steps for everyone in the support network to follow. This might include strategies to reduce risk, environment adjustments, or ways to reinforce positive behaviour. Plans can be interim for short-term safety or comprehensive for long-term growth, always designed to protect dignity and enhance quality of life. More details about this process are available in this easy read guide to behaviour support.
Skill-Building and Capacity Building Supports
Capacity building supports help participants develop new life skills that increase independence and confidence. These supports aim to teach communication, emotional regulation, and daily living skills that make it easier to take part in the community.
NDIS plans can include tailored programs or therapies, such as occupational therapy or social skills groups. By focusing on the strengths and aspirations of each participant, we ensure the support matches their goals. Consistent support from families, carers, and practitioners helps reinforce new skills and maintains progress.
Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing
Supporting mental health is an integral part of behaviour support planning. Mental health challenges can influence behaviour, so we work to identify early signs of stress or anxiety and respond with helpful, proactive interventions.
An effective plan will include strategies for maintaining mental wellbeing, like scheduled routines, choice-making, and calm down techniques. Collaboration with mental health professionals or allied health providers ensures that the plan supports overall wellbeing and helps manage emerging concerns. This holistic approach strengthens both behaviour support and mental health outcomes for NDIS participants.
Implementing and Monitoring Behaviour Support Plans
Ensuring a positive NDIS behaviour support plan is effective requires clear roles, consistent monitoring, and ongoing adjustments. Every member of the support team contributes to the plan’s successful implementation and continual improvement.
Role of Behaviour Support Practitioners
Behaviour support practitioners are responsible for developing and guiding the implementation of behaviour support plans. They assess the participant’s needs, consult with the participant and their network, and tailor strategies to address individual goals and circumstances.
Through observation and data analysis, the practitioner identifies factors influencing behaviours of concern. They work directly with support staff to demonstrate positive behaviour support techniques.
Training and capacity building are essential parts of this process. Practitioners provide ongoing support and training for staff while ensuring the strategies outlined in the plan meet NDIS requirements. More guidance can be found in the supplementary module for implementing behaviour support plans.
Support Coordinator and Team Involvement
Support coordinators play a vital role in connecting the participant with relevant providers, including specialist behaviour support providers. They ensure each team member understands their responsibilities and that supports are aligned with the participant’s goals.
Regular team meetings facilitate communication and coordination. As a group, we review progress, share feedback, and make quick adjustments if challenges arise. This collaborative environment helps maintain clarity between practitioners, family, support workers, and the participant.
Our team works together to ensure NDIS funding is used effectively and all requirements are met. This partnership strengthens the participant’s ability to achieve positive outcomes.
Review and Adjustments Over Time
Behaviour support plans are living documents. We review them regularly to evaluate how strategies are working and whether outcomes are being met. This includes analysing incident data, feedback from the participant and team, and changes in circumstances.
If a strategy is not effective, we consult the behaviour support practitioner and make evidence-based changes. Adjustments can range from minor tweaks, such as language used in prompts, to broader shifts in approach.
Continuous monitoring ensures the plan remains person-centred and relevant. To facilitate this, we follow guidelines and use tools set by the NDIS, tailoring support as the participant’s needs evolve.
Strategies to Address Challenging Behaviours
Effective behaviour support relies on evidence-based strategies to reduce challenging behaviours and strengthen positive actions. Using structured approaches, we can help participants learn new skills, regulate emotions, and build better connections with others.
Positive Reinforcement and Skill Mastery
We use positive reinforcement to encourage and maintain desired behaviours. This approach involves rewarding positive choices with praise, privileges, or preferred activities, making it more likely for the participant to repeat these behaviours.
Skill mastery is central to long-term change. Our support strategies focus on teaching practical life skills that are relevant to daily routines. For example, we may use visual aids, step-by-step instructions, or hands-on demonstrations to help individuals learn self-care, problem-solving, or coping methods.
Positive reinforcement is most effective when it is immediate and directly linked to the behaviour. Tracking progress and adjusting rewards as skills improve can help maintain motivation and highlight achievements.
For more information about creating a supportive plan, see the basics of a behaviour support plan.
De-Escalation Techniques
Managing high-stress situations requires proactive de-escalation strategies. We use techniques such as calm communication, providing space, and changing the environment to reduce the intensity of challenging behaviours before they escalate.
Some effective de-escalation techniques include:
- Using a calm, even tone of voice
- Reducing environmental triggers (noise, bright lights)
- Allowing time for the individual to process and respond
- Providing choices to give a sense of control
These de-escalation strategies help prevent aggression and emotional outbursts. They also ensure safety for everyone involved. Our goal is to identify early signs of distress and intervene before behaviour becomes unmanageable.
The NDIS Commission provides guidance on restrictive practices, emphasising respect and dignity during de-escalation.
Communication Skills and Social Interactions
Improving communication skills is essential for reducing frustration and misunderstandings that often lead to challenging behaviours. We teach alternative communication methods, such as using communication aids, gestures, or picture exchange systems.
Building social interaction skills helps individuals participate more fully in their communities. Support may include role-play, modelling, and guided social situations to practice reading emotions, responding appropriately, and holding conversations.
Direct instruction and consistent practice help reinforce positive approaches to social interactions. By fostering better communication and social connections, we help participants express needs appropriately and form meaningful relationships. This not only reduces challenging behaviour but also promotes greater independence and confidence.
For an overview of person-centred approaches, see how positive behaviour support works for people with disabilities.
Reducing and Regulating Restrictive Practices
Restrictive practices can limit a person’s freedom but are sometimes used to manage behaviours of concern when there is a risk to safety. We need to understand the types of restrictive practices and how the NDIS regulates their use to keep people safe and uphold their rights.
Types of Restrictive Practices
Restrictive practices are any actions or interventions that restrict a person’s rights or movement. The NDIS recognises several forms, including:
- Chemical restraint: Using medication to control behaviour, not for treating a diagnosed condition.
- Physical restraint: Limiting a person’s movement using physical force.
- Mechanical restraint: Using devices to restrict freedom of movement, except when required for medical reasons.
- Environmental restraint: Changing someone’s environment to limit their movement, such as locking doors.
- Seclusion: Confining a person in a room or area, preventing them from leaving.
Each practice can raise serious concerns about dignity and human rights. Positive behaviour support aims to reduce or eliminate these interventions over time. More detail is available on types of restrictive practices.
Regulated Restrictive Practices and NDIS Commission Guidelines
In the NDIS, regulated restrictive practices are carefully monitored. Providers must follow clear rules set by the NDIS Commission to ensure practices are only used as a last resort when required to prevent harm.
A registered provider needs a behaviour support plan that justifies the use of any restrictive practice. This plan must show steps to reduce and ideally phase out the practice. The NDIS Commission oversees these plans and conducts regular reporting and review.
We must involve participants, families, and carers in decisions about restrictive practices. This approach ensures transparency and supports people’s rights and safety, as explained in the Regulated Restrictive Practices Guide.
Positive Outcomes and Quality of Life Improvements
A well-designed NDIS positive behaviour support plan has a clear focus: enhancing a participant’s daily life, increasing independence, reducing risk, and building stronger connections with others. By prioritising evidence-based strategies, we can see real and measurable gains in vital areas that matter to people with disabilities and their support networks.
Supporting Independence
Empowering individuals to make their own choices is central to positive behaviour support. Our approach recognises that increased autonomy leads to greater confidence in daily activities, like managing personal care or making social decisions. With structured supports, people are encouraged to participate more in the community and life at home, using new skills to overcome challenges.
We use clear, person-centred strategies that are tailored to each individual’s preferences and strengths. This may include teaching self-management and communication skills, fostering routines for self-care, and gradually reducing reliance on paid or family supports. Independence is supported by focusing on achievable goals that build real-world competence and decision-making abilities over time.
Improved Relationships and Social Inclusion
Positive behaviour support plans pay careful attention to building respectful and supportive relationships. By understanding what underlies a person’s behaviours, we create opportunities for meaningful connection with peers, family, and the wider community. This approach recognises each person’s right to dignity and belonging.
Strategies often involve teaching and modelling appropriate social skills, as well as supporting participants to engage in group activities or community events. By fostering encouragement in social situations, we help individuals develop mutual respect and trust with others. Improved communication reduces misunderstandings and helps prevent isolation.
The outcome is a stronger sense of community participation and acceptance, which directly increases overall quality of life.
Reducing Harm and Enhancing Safety
Minimising the use of restrictive practices is a core principle of positive behaviour support. By focusing on understanding triggers and teaching alternative behaviours, we work to reduce harm to both the individual and those around them.
We evaluate risk factors through ongoing monitoring and regular plan review to ensure interventions remain effective and relevant. Safety measures are put in place without compromising dignity or independence, using proactive techniques to anticipate and prevent high-risk situations before they escalate.
Continuous improvement in these areas not only lowers the chance of injury or crisis but also supports safer environments in homes and communities. This results in improved wellbeing and more consistent outcomes for participants.
Types of Behaviour Support Plans Under NDIS
Under the NDIS, different types of behaviour support plans are tailored to meet individual needs. We create these plans based on assessment, focusing on promoting positive change while ensuring safety at all stages.
Interim Behaviour Support Plan
An Interim Behaviour Support Plan is used when immediate action is required to ensure the safety of the person and those around them. This plan is developed quickly after identifying behaviours of concern, before a full assessment is completed.
We use this plan as a temporary measure. It focuses on managing risks and implementing short-term strategies that can be put in place straight away. This is important when waiting for more comprehensive support is not practical due to urgency or risk.
An interim plan may include basic guidelines for carers, staff, and support workers. It often outlines specific responsibilities for each person involved, ensuring clear communication. While temporary, its purpose is to keep everyone safe and stable until a detailed assessment can be carried out.
The interim behaviour support plan offers a bridge to long-term support. We regularly review interim plans to make sure that they remain effective and meet the immediate needs of the participant. NDIS guidelines explain this process for families and providers in more detail at the NDIS Commission.
Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan
A Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan is a detailed, long-term plan built on a thorough assessment of the individual’s needs and circumstances. This assessment helps us understand the person’s unique behaviours of concern and the environments in which they occur.
We create these plans using a positive, person-centred approach. Strategies in a comprehensive plan are evidence-based and tailored specifically to improve the participant’s quality of life. The plan includes proactive techniques, skill development, and supports that encourage meaningful change over time.
Comprehensive plans can also address the use of regulated restrictive practices when required, ensuring these are only used if absolutely necessary and always monitored closely. The plan lists responsibilities, monitoring methods, and steps for regular review.
The goal of a comprehensive behaviour support plan is to reduce restrictive practices, promote independence, and build on the strengths of each individual. You can find further information and guidelines on positive behaviour support plans from the NDIS.
Legal and Regional Considerations
Effective development and use of a positive NDIS behaviour plan requires attention to both national regulations and local rules. We must ensure we meet the core standards and adapt our approach according to specific regional guidelines.
Compliance with National Disability Insurance Scheme Standards
We are required to align our behaviour plans with the NDIS Commission’s national guidelines. These rules mandate that plans focus on positive behaviour support and the reduction or elimination of restrictive practices, ensuring the safety and rights of individuals. The NDIS Commission assesses the content of behaviour support plans and enforces compliance, making it essential that we are familiar with their expectations.
Our plans must clearly document any restrictive practices and outline strategies for their reduction. Practitioners are obliged to follow reporting and review procedures, especially when restrictive practices are in use. Further details on developing compliant plans are available from the NDIS Commission’s behaviour support plan development guidance.
State and Territory Guidelines (Queensland, Adelaide, Perth)
While the national standards provide the foundation, each state or territory such as Queensland, Adelaide (South Australia), and Perth (Western Australia) may have additional requirements for behaviour support. Local regulations often specify extra reporting obligations or training requirements for practitioners.
For example, Western Australia applies its own Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework, setting benchmarks for practitioner qualifications and support strategies. Queensland and South Australia may adjust requirements for plan approval and oversight, especially around restrictive practice authorisation.
We must regularly check regional updates and ensure our plans fit both the national and relevant state frameworks. This dual compliance supports legal, safe, and high-quality services across NDIS settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Positive Behaviour Support plans in the NDIS focus on clear strategies, individualised planning, and measurable improvement in the participant’s quality of life. These plans rely on professional expertise as well as collaboration with the participant and their support environment.
What are the components of an effective Positive Behaviour Support plan in the NDIS?
An effective plan includes a functional behaviour assessment, clearly described target behaviours, proactive strategies, and evidence-based interventions. We also document reactive strategies, goals for skill development, monitoring methods, and a method for reviewing progress.
The structure and content of a plan should comply with guidelines set by the NDIS Commission to ensure both participant safety and ethical practice. For more details, see the NDIS Commission factsheet.
How can a Positive Behaviour Support plan contribute to better outcomes for NDIS participants?
These plans help participants reduce restrictive practices, increase positive skills, and ensure dignity. We aim to provide a supportive environment where behaviour challenges are understood in context and addressed without punishment.
Clear goals and continuous monitoring ensure progress is measured and adjustments can be made as needed. Research shows that consistent use of positive behaviour support leads to improved relationships and greater independence.
What strategies are commonly used in Positive Behaviour Support plans for NDIS participants?
We prioritise proactive strategies such as environmental adjustments, teaching new skills, and supporting choice and control. Plans might also include specific communication supports, positive reinforcement, and structured routines.
Reactive strategies may be included for safety, but the emphasis remains on understanding the reasons for behaviours and building new, positive alternatives. Learn more about common strategies from Everyday Independence.
Can you provide an example of a successful Positive Behaviour Support plan implemented within the NDIS framework?
For example, a young person with autism who engaged in self-injury saw a reduction in these behaviours after we introduced communication cards and sensory breaks. The plan provided clear instructions for support staff on proactive responses and included regular reviews.
This approach led to fewer incidents and the development of safer, more effective communication skills. Goals were tracked and updated as progress was made, following the NDIS guidelines for behaviour support.
What is the role of a practitioner in the development and execution of a Positive Behaviour Support plan for an NDIS participant?
Practitioners are responsible for assessing the participant’s needs, developing the initial plan, training others, and monitoring implementation. We collaborate closely with the participant, their family, and support team to ensure the plan remains relevant and effective.
Practitioners also ensure all restrictive practices comply with legal and ethical standards. Ongoing evaluation is essential to maintain the integrity of the support provided.
How is a Positive Behaviour Support plan tailored to the individual needs of an NDIS participant?
Each plan is built on an understanding of the participant’s history, preferences, and communication style. We involve the person and their family in goal setting and strategy selection, ensuring the plan reflects their daily life and aspirations.
Adjustments can be made over time based on regular feedback and monitoring, supporting continuous improvement and meaningful outcomes for the participant. More information is available on how individualisation works in NDIS Positive Behaviour Support.
