How Does NDIS Behaviour Support Funding Work?
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be complex, especially when you are trying to secure funding for specialised services like Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). If you or your loved one is experiencing challenging behaviours, understanding how NDIS funding works is the first step toward getting the right help.
At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth, helps families understand and utilise their NDIS funding effectively. In this guide, we will explain which NDIS funding category covers behaviour support, how to request it, and what the funding actually pays for.
The “Improved Relationships” Funding Category
Under the NDIS, funding is divided into three main budgets: Core, Capital, and Capacity Building. Positive Behaviour Support falls under the Capacity Building budget.
Specifically, behaviour support services are funded under a sub-category called Improved Relationships.
The goal of the Improved Relationships category is to help participants develop positive behaviours, interact safely with others, and build the skills needed to participate in their community. If you look at your NDIS plan, you need to see funding allocated to “Improved Relationships” to engage a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner.
What Does “Improved Relationships” Funding Cover?
Funding in this category is typically broken down into two specific line items:
- Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support: This funding covers the highly specialised work of a registered practitioner. It pays for the practitioner to conduct a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) and develop a comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan (BSP). It also covers the practitioner’s time spent observing the participant, interviewing family members, and writing reports.
- Behaviour Management Plan Including Training in Behaviour Management: Once the Behaviour Support Plan is written, it needs to be implemented. This funding line item pays for the practitioner to train the participant’s support network—including parents, teachers, and support workers—on how to use the strategies outlined in the plan.
How to Get Behaviour Support Funding in Your NDIS Plan
If you do not currently have “Improved Relationships” funding in your plan, but you believe behaviour support is necessary, you will need to request it from the NDIS. This usually happens during a plan reassessment (previously called a plan review).
To secure this funding, you must prove to the NDIS that the support is “reasonable and necessary.” Here is how to build a strong case:
1. Gather Evidence
The NDIS relies heavily on written evidence. You will need reports or letters from professionals that clearly state why behaviour support is required. This evidence can come from:
– Occupational Therapists or Speech Pathologists.
– Psychologists or Psychiatrists.
– Paediatricians or General Practitioners.
– School teachers or principals.
2. Document the Impact
The evidence must clearly describe the behaviours of concern and, crucially, how these behaviours impact the participant’s daily life. Does the behaviour prevent them from attending school? Does it put their safety, or the safety of others, at risk? Does it stop them from participating in community activities? The more clearly you can demonstrate the impact, the stronger your case will be.
3. Highlight the Need for Specialised Support
The NDIS needs to understand why standard supports (like a regular support worker or general psychology) are not enough. Your evidence should explicitly state that the participant requires a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner to conduct a Functional Behaviour Assessment and develop a targeted Behaviour Support Plan.
4. Speak to Your Support Coordinator
If you have an NDIS Support Coordinator, they can be invaluable in this process. They can help you gather the right evidence, draft a supporting letter, and advocate on your behalf during the planning meeting.
What Happens Once You Have the Funding?
Once “Improved Relationships” funding is approved and appears in your NDIS plan, you can start looking for a practitioner.
It is important to note that you must use an NDIS-registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. Because behaviour support often involves vulnerable individuals and potentially the use of restrictive practices, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission strictly regulates who can provide these services.
When you engage a practitioner, they will typically set up a Service Agreement with you. This document outlines exactly how many hours of funding will be used for the assessment, plan development, and training, ensuring your budget is managed effectively.
Understanding Restrictive Practices Funding
In some cases, a person’s behaviour may pose such a high risk of harm that “restrictive practices” (such as physical restraint or locking doors) are currently being used by support workers or providers.
If restrictive practices are being used, the NDIS mandates that the participant must have a Behaviour Support Plan developed by a registered practitioner. The goal of the plan is to reduce and eventually eliminate the need for these restrictions. If you inform the NDIS that restrictive practices are in place, they are obligated to provide funding for a practitioner to address this.
How Behaviour Bridge Can Help
Navigating NDIS funding can feel like a full-time job, but you do not have to do it alone.
At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley provides expert Positive Behaviour Support services for NDIS participants across Perth. We understand the NDIS system inside and out, and we work closely with families and Support Coordinators to ensure funding is used effectively to create real, positive change.
If you have “Improved Relationships” funding in your plan and are looking for a compassionate, experienced practitioner, we are here to help.
Ready to use your NDIS behaviour support funding? Contact Behaviour Bridge today to discuss how Julianne Shepley and our Positive Behaviour Support services in Perth can support your family.
