A behaviour support practitioner helps a person with disability and the people around them understand why behaviours of concern happen, and what can be changed so the person has a better quality of life.
Understanding the behaviour
The work starts with a functional behaviour assessment. The practitioner meets the person, talks with family and support workers, reviews reports and observes daily routines. The aim is to understand what the behaviour communicates and what triggers or maintains it. Read more about what happens in a functional behaviour assessment.
Writing the behaviour support plan
The assessment leads to a behaviour support plan. A good plan focuses on the person's quality of life, not just the behaviour. It usually covers:
- Changes to the environment and routine that prevent behaviours of concern
- Skills the person can learn to meet their needs in other ways
- How supporters should respond early, when the person starts to become distressed
- A safe response if a behaviour does occur
- Any regulated restrictive practices, and a plan to reduce and remove them
Training and supporting the team
A plan only works if the people using it understand it. Practitioners train support workers and families, check how the plan is being used and adjust it when something is not working.
Reporting and review
Where restrictive practices are used, the practitioner lodges the plan with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and reviews it at least every 12 months, or sooner if the person's needs change.
Qualifications and registration
Behaviour support practitioners must be considered suitable by the NDIS Commission, and their capability is assessed against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Specialist behaviour support must be delivered by a registered NDIS provider.
This article is general information only and is not advice about a particular person's circumstances. NDIS funding arrangements change from time to time, so check the participant's plan and current NDIA guidance.
