When a specialist behaviour support provider starts working with an NDIS participant, families and support teams often hear about two kinds of plan: an interim plan and a comprehensive plan. They have different purposes and different deadlines. This article explains both.
The interim behaviour support plan
An interim plan is a short, practical plan for keeping the participant and the people around them safe while a full assessment is carried out. It is needed when there is an immediate risk, or when restrictive practices are already being used and no current plan is in place.
Under the NDIS behaviour support rules, the provider must develop an interim plan within one month of being engaged. The engagement date is usually the date of the service agreement, or a later start date written into it.
An interim plan usually covers:
- the behaviours of concern and the main risks
- what support workers and family should do to prevent incidents
- how to respond safely if a behaviour occurs
- any regulated restrictive practices in use and how they are to be used
The comprehensive behaviour support plan
A comprehensive plan is the full plan. It is based on a behaviour assessment that includes a functional behaviour assessment, so it is built on an understanding of why each behaviour happens.
Under the rules, it must be developed within six months of the provider being engaged. At Forsyth Therapies we aim to complete it within three months.
A comprehensive plan goes further than an interim plan. It includes:
- the findings of the assessment, including the likely function of each behaviour
- proactive strategies that change the environment and routines to prevent behaviours
- skills to teach the person, so they have another way to meet the same need
- responses for when a behaviour does occur
- where restrictive practices are used, a plan to reduce and, where possible, stop them
- how the plan will be monitored and when it will be reviewed
What if a plan already exists?
When a participant changes behaviour support provider, the new provider does not always start from scratch. If there is a current interim plan that still manages risk properly, the new provider can move on to the comprehensive plan. If there is a current comprehensive plan, the new provider can focus on training and implementation, provided the plan still fits the person's needs.
In both cases the plan needs to be lodged with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, list every regulated restrictive practice in use, and have any state or territory authorisation that applies.
Reviews
A comprehensive plan must be reviewed when the person's circumstances change, and at least every 12 months from the plan's start date. A plan is only useful if it reflects how the person is living now and is being followed day to day.
This article is general information only and is not advice about a particular person's circumstances.
