Positive Behaviour Support on the Sunshine Coast: Q&A with Sian McCue
At Hively Health, we believe in creating safe, respectful, and empowering environments for the individuals we support—and the teams who support them. One of the key approaches we use is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). To shed light on what PBS looks like in practice, we sat down with one of our passionate practitioners and Team Leader, Sian McCue, for a chat about how PBS is making a difference right here on the Sunshine Coast.
Q: Sian, for those new to the concept—what is Positive Behaviour Support?
Sian:
Positive Behaviour Support is a person-centered approach grounded in human rights and evidence-based practice. It’s about understanding the reasons behind a person’s behaviour and supporting them in a proactive, respectful way. Instead of just reacting to behaviours of concern, PBS focuses on improving quality of life and building skills to meet needs in more positive ways.
Q: What inspired you to start working in Positive Behaviour Support?
Sian:
I’ve always been passionate about supporting people in ways that honour their individuality and strengths. When I discovered PBS, it just clicked—it offered a respectful, evidence-based way to truly understand people and help them thrive. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a shift that focuses on compassion, dignity, and real change. That’s what drew me in and keeps me inspired every day and I love working on the beautiful Sunshine Coast to make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
Q: What does PBS look like in a day-to-day support setting?
Sian:
It’s often the little things—how we communicate, how we structure the environment, and how we build trust. A big part of it is being consistent and proactive. For example, we might notice that someone becomes anxious in noisy environments, so we plan ahead to reduce those stressors or support them with tools like headphones or clear schedules. It’s not a one-size-fits-all model—it’s deeply individualised.
Q: What role does the support team play in PBS?
Sian:
The team is everything. They’re on the ground, observing, supporting, and building relationships. PBS plans only work when the team is involved in developing them and believes in the person’s capacity for growth. Training, collaboration, and ongoing support are key. We also focus on celebrating progress—no matter how small.
Q: How does PBS align with Hively’s CARES values?
Sian:
PBS naturally aligns with CARES. It’s Courageous, because it asks us to challenge outdated ways of thinking. It’s Authentic, because it centers the person’s real experiences. It’s Respectful and Empowering by design, and of course, Safe—not just physically, but emotionally. PBS gives people the tools and support they need to feel seen, heard, and valued.
Q: What’s something you wish more people understood about behaviours of concern?
Sian:
That behaviour is communication. It’s not about “bad” behaviour—it’s about unmet needs. When we take the time to understand what someone is trying to express, we can support them so much more effectively. Compassion and curiosity go a long way.
Q: Any standout moments or stories from your time working on the Sunshine Coast?
Sian:
There are so many. One that sticks with me is a young person who was really struggling with transitions. We worked closely with the support team and family to develop a plan around predictability and choice-making. Over time, we saw a huge decrease in distress and a big boost in confidence. It was beautiful to see the shift—not just in the individual, but in how the whole team responded with understanding and encouragement.
Final Thoughts
Positive Behaviour Support isn’t just a strategy—it’s a mindset. Thanks to practitioners like Sian McCue, individuals across the Sunshine Coast are being supported with dignity, compassion, and care.
Interested in how Positive Behaviour Support can help?
Interested in learning more about PBS or how it’s applied at Hively Health? Our experienced PBS practitioners at Hively Health offers tailored PBS strategies to support individuals and teams on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast. We’re always happy to have a conversation – reach out today to learn how we can support you!
