How to Make a Useful Positive Behaviour Support Referral in Melbourne: A Clear Guide for Support Coordinators, Families and Allied Health Professionals

Finding the right Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) fit can take time. I am an NDIS Registered Core Behaviour Support Practitioner with a Bachelor of Counselling and membership of the Australian Counselling Association. My approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and practical. I currently support children and young people with complex support needs, including aggression and demand-avoidant/PDA presentations, drawing on experience in out-of-home care, adult support, support work and nursing homes.

1. Understanding the Melbourne PBS Landscape

A useful referral starts with understanding that PBS is not a one-size-fits-all service. The information in a referral helps a practitioner consider the person’s circumstances, communication, support team and current priorities.

PBS is not about “fixing” a child or young person. A detailed referral helps a practitioner understand the home, school, work or community contexts that matter to the person. You can learn more about available support through our Melbourne service hub.

2. The Core of PBS: Beyond “Fixing” Behaviour

Positive Behaviour Support considers quality of life, context and the possible functions of behaviour. A practitioner may explore patterns around communication, sensory demands, expectations and relationships rather than relying on a single explanation.

My work is trauma-informed and person-centred. We don’t start with a list of rules; we start with a relationship. In the Eastern suburbs, where many families navigate complex systems of care, a practical approach is essential. We look at the child’s strengths, their interests, and the moments when things are going well. By focusing on these elements, we build a plan that feels like a natural extension of the family’s life, rather than an intrusive clinical intervention.

3. The Referral Checklist: What You Need to Include

To make a referral as useful as possible, certain key pieces of information help a practitioner prepare. Depending on the referral and assessed needs, a practitioner will discuss the appropriate assessment process. A helpful starting point is clear, descriptive information about the person’s current circumstances and support needs. When completing a referral, try to use descriptive language. Instead of saying a child is “non-compliant,” describe the situation: “When asked to transition from the iPad to dinner, Jamie often becomes distressed and may push away nearby objects.”

Key details to include are the current NDIS plan goals, the participant’s communication style (such as the use of visual aids), and the key support people who will be involved in the training phase. Identifying patterns and safety considerations helps the practitioner plan a thoughtful initial conversation and consider safe ways to learn more. This detail is especially useful for practical, real-world planning.

4. Supporting Complex Needs: Aggression and Demand-Avoidant/PDA Presentations

I currently accept referrals for children and young people with complex support needs, including aggression and demand-avoidant/PDA presentations. Approaches that rely heavily on rewards and consequences may not suit every person. A useful referral can describe what the person finds difficult, the situations that create pressure and the ways they communicate their needs.

In these cases, the PBS approach must be flexible. A practitioner may begin by building a shared understanding with the person and their support network before introducing formal strategies. A trauma-informed approach considers history, relationships and context, without reducing a person to the behaviour seen in one moment.

5. Why Context Matters: Practical Support

A practical approach takes account of the person’s everyday setting. My experience across out-of-home care, adult support, support work and nursing homes has reinforced that strategies need to be considered in the environments where people live, learn and receive support.

A useful referral can mention the everyday realities of a household or support setting, such as sibling dynamics, changes in routine or challenging transition times. This context helps keep any recommended strategies realistic and considerate of the people who will use them.

6. The Road Ahead: What to Expect

Once a referral is accepted, Behaviour Bridge will discuss the appropriate next steps, including whether an escalation review would be helpful. The work is collaborative and focuses on understanding the person’s current situation without judgement. Depending on the referral scope and assessed needs, this may include assessment, behaviour-support planning and practical implementation support. The aim is not a quick fix, but a considered approach that is workable for the person and their support network.

When to Seek Urgent Help

Positive Behaviour Support is not an emergency or crisis-intervention service. If there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a medical emergency, call emergency services on 000.

Next Steps

If you are a support coordinator, a family member, or an allied health professional in Melbourne’s Eastern or North Eastern suburbs, and you feel that a trauma-informed, practical approach to PBS would benefit a child or young person in your care, I invite you to take the next step.

You can learn more about my background and approach by visiting Beni’s profile. For those ready to begin the process, please visit our Melbourne service hub or submit a formal NDIS referral here. If you are a professional looking to discuss a specific situation, we can also arrange to submit a referral to see if our services are the right fit for your needs.