What Is a Behaviour Support Plan? NDIS Guide for Families
Navigating the world of disability support can often feel like learning a new language. If you are supporting a child or adult with challenging behaviours, you have likely heard the term “Behaviour Support Plan” or “BSP.” But what exactly is it, and how does it help?
A Behaviour Support Plan is a crucial document that outlines how to support a person to improve their quality of life while reducing behaviours of concern. It is a roadmap for families, teachers, and support workers, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth, works closely with families to develop comprehensive, easy-to-understand Behaviour Support Plans. In this guide, we will explain what a BSP is, what it includes, and how you can access one through the NDIS.
The Purpose of a Behaviour Support Plan
The primary goal of a Behaviour Support Plan is not simply to “stop” a behaviour. Instead, the goal is to understand why the behaviour is happening and to provide the person with better, safer ways to get their needs met.
Challenging behaviour—such as aggression, self-injury, or property destruction—is almost always a form of communication. A person might be trying to say they are overwhelmed, in pain, bored, or frustrated. A Behaviour Support Plan is designed to translate that communication and provide a structured response.
By focusing on Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), a BSP aims to:
– Improve the person’s overall quality of life.
– Teach new skills, such as communication or emotional regulation.
– Change the environment to reduce triggers.
– Ensure the safety of the person and those around them.
– Reduce or eliminate the need for restrictive practices.
What Is Included in a Behaviour Support Plan?
A high-quality Behaviour Support Plan is highly individualised. It is based on a thorough Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) and is tailored to the specific needs, strengths, and preferences of the person.
While every plan is different, a standard NDIS Behaviour Support Plan typically includes the following key sections:
1. Profile of the Person
This section provides a holistic view of the individual. It includes their likes, dislikes, strengths, communication style, medical history, and any sensory preferences. It reminds everyone reading the plan that they are supporting a unique person, not just managing a behaviour.
2. Description of the Behaviours of Concern
The plan will clearly define the challenging behaviours. Instead of vague terms like “acting out,” it will use specific descriptions like “hitting others with an open hand” or “throwing objects across the room.” This ensures that all support people are identifying the same behaviours.
3. The Function of the Behaviour
This is the most critical part of the plan. Based on the assessment, the practitioner will explain why the behaviour is occurring. For example, the function might be to escape a noisy environment, to gain access to a preferred item, or to seek sensory input.
4. Proactive Strategies
Proactive strategies are things you do before the behaviour happens to prevent it. These are changes to the environment or routine that make the challenging behaviour unnecessary. Examples include:
– Using a visual schedule so the person knows what to expect.
– Providing regular sensory breaks.
– Offering choices to give the person a sense of control.
– Ensuring the environment is quiet and calm.
5. Skill-Building Strategies
A BSP must include strategies for teaching the person new skills to replace the challenging behaviour. If a child hits when they want a toy, the skill-building strategy might involve teaching them to point to a picture card or use a specific word to ask for the toy instead.
6. Reactive Strategies
Even with the best proactive strategies, challenging behaviour will still occur sometimes. Reactive strategies outline exactly what support people should do when the behaviour happens. The focus is on de-escalation and safety. This might include using a calm voice, giving the person space, or removing dangerous items from the area.
7. Restrictive Practices (If Applicable)
If the person’s behaviour poses a significant risk of harm, the plan may include regulated restrictive practices (such as physical restraint or environmental restraint) as a last resort. The NDIS strictly regulates these practices, and the BSP must outline a clear plan for reducing and eventually eliminating their use.
How to Get a Behaviour Support Plan Through the NDIS
In Australia, Behaviour Support Plans are funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Here is a step-by-step guide on how the process works.
Step 1: Secure the Right Funding
To get a BSP, you need specific funding in your NDIS plan. This funding falls under the Capacity Building category called “Improved Relationships.” If you do not currently have this funding, you may need to request a plan review and provide evidence (such as letters from therapists or doctors) showing why behaviour support is necessary. You can learn more about how NDIS behaviour support funding works here.
Step 2: Find a Registered Practitioner
Once you have the funding, you need to engage an NDIS-registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. It is important to find someone who is experienced, compassionate, and a good fit for your family. If you are in Western Australia, Julianne Shepley at Behaviour Bridge provides expert PBS services across Perth.
Step 3: The Assessment Phase
The practitioner will begin by conducting a Functional Behaviour Assessment. They will observe the person, interview family members and support workers, and collect data to understand the function of the behaviour.
Step 4: Developing the Plan
Using the information gathered during the assessment, the practitioner will write the Behaviour Support Plan. They will collaborate closely with you to ensure the strategies are practical and realistic for your home or school environment.
Step 5: Training and Implementation
A plan is only useful if people know how to use it. The practitioner will provide training to parents, teachers, and support workers on how to implement the proactive, skill-building, and reactive strategies.
Step 6: Review and Update
Behaviour changes, and so should the plan. The practitioner will regularly review the data to see if the strategies are working. NDIS Behaviour Support Plans are typically reviewed and updated annually, or sooner if there is a significant change in the person’s circumstances.
Why Consistency Is Key
One of the biggest challenges families face is ensuring that everyone follows the Behaviour Support Plan. If a child learns that hitting gets them a toy at home, but not at school, the behaviour will continue.
This is why the BSP is designed to be shared. It should be read and followed by everyone who supports the person—parents, grandparents, teachers, and disability support workers. Consistency across all environments is the fastest way to see positive changes in behaviour.
How Behaviour Bridge Can Help
Understanding and managing challenging behaviour is a journey, but you do not have to do it alone. A well-crafted Behaviour Support Plan can provide the clarity and direction your family needs.
At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley specialises in creating practical, person-centred Behaviour Support Plans for NDIS participants in Perth. We focus on strategies that are easy to understand and implement, ensuring that your loved one receives the best possible support.
Whether you are applying for NDIS funding for the first time or looking to update an existing plan, Behaviour Bridge is here to guide you through the process.
Need help developing a Behaviour Support Plan? Contact Behaviour Bridge today to discuss how Julianne Shepley and our Positive Behaviour Support services in Perth can support your family.
