Sometimes, people need extra support with their behaviour. This is called Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). It’s not about controlling someone, it’s about supporting them to feel safe, respected, and happy.
What are restrictive practices?
A restrictive practice is when something is done that limits a person’s freedom. For example, stopping them from moving around, or taking something away from them.
Sometimes this is used to keep people safe, but restrictive practices:
- Don’t fix the real problem
- Don’t meet the person’s needs
- Can make behaviour worse over time
There are different types of restrictive practices including:
- Chemical restraint – this includes using medicine to calm someone down
- Environmental restraint – such as locking doors or blocking areas
- Mechanical restraint – using equipment that stops movement
- Physical restraint – holding or stopping someone from moving
- Seclusion – keeping someone alone in a room
Some practices are banned, like using punishment or using dangerous holds.
What is a behaviour of concern?
This is when someone does something that could hurt themselves or others.
Possible behaviours of concerns may be:
- Hitting
- Swearing at people
- Throwing furniture
- Running onto the road in traffic
- Biting yourself
What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
PBS aims to:
- Increase quality of life
- Understand why the behaviour is happening
- Find safe, positive ways to support
- Reduce and manage behaviours of concern over time
What’s Changing in Tasmania
There are new rules to make things safer:
- A Senior Practitioner has more power to approve or stop restrictive practices
- Tascat are no longer responsible. All practices, including using medicine (chemical restraint), now need state authorisation
- An Independent Person will help make sure everything is fair
Who helps with Behaviour Support?
A Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) is someone trained to write a plan with strategies to support the person. Families and support workers then use the plan.
When choosing a BSP, here are some questions to ask:
- Have you worked with people like me/us before?
- What’s your approach to PBS?
- Will the plan for the NDIS participant be clear and easy to follow?
How Does the NDIS Fund Positive Behaviour Support?
The NDIS currently pays for behaviour support through a budget called ‘Improved Relationships’. Participants usually need (please note hours are approximate):
- First meetings and learning about the person which is the initial consultation: 10 hours
- Writing an interim plan (including Functional Behaviour Analysis): 20 -25 hours
- Making a comprehensive behaviour support plan: 35-40 hours
- Implementation and fade-out: variable
When requesting increased funding, highlight the risk that comes with Behaviours of Concern and make sure to include data.
Why It Matters
Positive Behaviour Support is about listening, understanding, and supporting people to feel respected and safe.
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