How to Get a Behaviour Support Practitioner Through NDIS

If you or a loved one are experiencing challenging behaviours that impact daily life, engaging a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Practitioner can be life-changing. However, navigating the NDIS to find and fund the right professional can feel like a daunting task.

At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley, a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth, helps families understand this process. In this guide, we will walk you through the exact steps to access a behaviour support practitioner through your NDIS plan.

Step 1: Check Your NDIS Funding

Before you can engage a practitioner, you need to ensure you have the correct funding in your NDIS plan.

Behaviour support is funded under the Capacity Building budget, specifically in the Improved Relationships category.

Look at your current NDIS plan. You should see funding allocated for:
– Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support: This covers the practitioner’s time to conduct a Functional Behaviour Assessment and write a Behaviour Support Plan.
– Behaviour Management Plan Including Training: This covers the practitioner’s time to train you, your support workers, and teachers on how to implement the plan.

If you have this funding, you are ready to move to Step 3. If you do not have this funding, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Requesting Funding (If You Don’t Have It)

If your plan does not include “Improved Relationships” funding, you will need to request a plan reassessment (previously called a plan review).

To get this funding approved, you must provide the NDIS with strong evidence that behaviour support is “reasonable and necessary.” Here is what you need to do:

1. Gather Evidence: Collect letters or reports from professionals who know the participant well. This could be an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Psychologist, Paediatrician, or school teacher.
2. Detail the Impact: The evidence must clearly describe the challenging behaviours and how they impact the participant’s life. Does the behaviour prevent them from attending school? Does it put their safety at risk? Does it stop them from engaging in the community?
3. Specify the Need: The reports should explicitly state that the participant requires a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner to develop a comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan.
4. Mention Restrictive Practices: If any restrictive practices (such as physical restraint, locking doors, or restricting access to items) are currently being used to manage the behaviour, you must inform the NDIS. The NDIS is obligated to provide funding for a practitioner to help reduce and eliminate these practices.

Your NDIS Support Coordinator can be incredibly helpful during this stage, assisting you in gathering evidence and advocating for the funding.

Step 3: Find an NDIS-Registered Practitioner

Once you have the funding, it is time to find a practitioner. This is a crucial step.

You must use an NDIS-registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. Because behaviour support involves vulnerable people and potentially the use of restrictive practices, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission strictly regulates who can provide these services. Unregistered providers cannot legally write NDIS Behaviour Support Plans that include regulated restrictive practices.

What to Look For in a Practitioner:

• Experience: Do they have experience working with the participant’s specific diagnosis (e.g., autism, intellectual disability) and age group?
• Approach: Do they use a person-centred, Positive Behaviour Support approach? They should focus on understanding the why behind the behaviour, not just punishing it.
• Communication: Are they easy to talk to? Do they explain things in plain language without using confusing jargon?
• Availability: Do they have capacity to take on a new client, or is there a long waitlist?

Step 4: The Initial Consultation and Service Agreement

When you find a practitioner you like, you will usually have an initial consultation. This is a chance for the practitioner to learn a bit about your situation and for you to decide if they are a good fit for your family.

If you decide to proceed, the practitioner will draw up a Service Agreement. This is a formal document that outlines:
– The services they will provide (e.g., assessment, plan development, training).
– How many hours of your NDIS funding will be used for each stage.
– Their cancellation policy and terms of service.

Once you sign the Service Agreement, the work begins!

Step 5: The Assessment and Planning Process

The practitioner will start by conducting a Functional Behaviour Assessment. This involves observing the participant, interviewing you and other support people, and collecting data to understand the function of the behaviour.

Using this information, they will write a tailored Behaviour Support Plan. Finally, they will provide training to ensure everyone knows how to use the strategies effectively.

How Behaviour Bridge Can Help

Finding the right practitioner is about finding someone who listens, understands, and genuinely cares about improving your loved one’s quality of life.

At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley is a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner providing expert, compassionate services across Perth. We understand the NDIS system and work closely with families and Support Coordinators to ensure the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

We focus on practical, evidence-based strategies that empower families and create real change.

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Looking for a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth? Contact Behaviour Bridge today to discuss how Julianne Shepley can support your family through your NDIS plan.