Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) empowers individuals to develop new, safe, ways of expressing themselves. We prioritise human rights by working collaboratively with individuals to understand their needs. PBS focuses on developing personalised strategies that reduce the need for restrictive practices and support individuals and support teams with effective communication skills to reduce behaviours of concern.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) works to reduce or eliminate difficult behaviours of concern by working with person and the extended support team. Behaviours of concern are actions that might not be safe for the person or other people. For example, hitting themselves or others, or breaking things.

PBS is provided both face to face and behind the scenes, within the stated hours in an individual’s NDIS plan.

Both the individual Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner and the provider who provides the Positive Behaviour Support must be registered by the NDIS to provide this important support.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) works to reduce or eliminate difficult behaviours of concern by working with person and the extended support team. Behaviours of concern are actions that might not be safe for the person or other people. For example, hitting themselves or others, or breaking things.

PBS is provided both face to face and behind the scenes, within the stated hours in an individual’s NDIS plan.

Both the individual Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner and the provider who provides the Positive Behaviour Support must be registered by the NDIS to provide this important support.

Our practitioners come to you at home, in the community and in schools to discuss and understand concerns and to develop a behaviour support plan.

A Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner (PBS Practitioner) is a specialist professional who is trained to assess, understand, and support individuals experiencing behaviours of concern—especially those with disabilities or complex support needs. Their role is to create practical, person-centred strategies that improve quality of life while reducing the need for restrictive practices.

Choosing a person-centred Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Practitioner is a key step in ensuring that support is not only effective but also respectful, empowering, and tailored to the individual’s unique needs and preferences.

Key Roles of a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

1. Conduct Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBA)
   They investigate the causes or “functions” of challenging behaviours by observing the individual, reviewing data, and working with families and support teams.

2. Develop Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBSPs)
   These practitioners design tailored plans with strategies to:

   • Prevent behaviours of concern

   • Teach new, more adaptive skills

   • Ensure respectful responses when challenges arise

   • Improve overall wellbeing

3. Train and Support Others
   They coach families, carers, educators, and support staff to consistently apply strategies and understand the “why” behind them.

4. Monitor and Review Progress
   PBS Practitioners collect and analyse data to track changes in behaviour and adjust plans as needed.

5. Ensure Ethical Practice and Safeguarding
   If restrictive practices (e.g., physical restraint or seclusion) are used, practitioners must ensure these are the absolute last resort, documented, approved, and regularly reviewed under the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Qualifications and Registration

In Australia, particularly under the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), a PBS Practitioner:

• Typically holds qualifications in psychology, social work, education, or a related allied health field.

• Must demonstrate core competencies in behaviour support.

• May be a Core, Proficient, Advanced or Specialist level practitioner, based on their experience and training.

• Must be engaged through an NDIS-registered provider if working with participants who have restrictive practices in their plan.

A good PBS practitioner should:

• Treat the individual with dignity, respect, and compassion.

• Focus on the person, not just the behaviour.

• Involve the individual, family, and support team in decision-making.

• Value the individual’s strengths, interests, and goals.

• Work for an organisation that values the person and the pracititoner.

A PBSP is a personalised plan outlining strategies and support for individuals who exhibit behaviours of concern.

PBSPs promote positive interactions and a more supportive environment for both the individual and their caregivers. They prioritise understanding the reasons behind behaviours and developing alternative solutions, ultimately reducing the need for restrictive practices.

What is included in a PBSP?

1. Understanding the Person

   • Includes background information, communication style, strengths, interests, and important relationships.

   • Builds a holistic picture of the person and their environment.

2. Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)

   • Identifies the causes or “functions” of behaviours of concern (e.g., to escape a task, gain attention, or express discomfort).

   • Assesses when, where, and why behaviours occur using observations and data.

3. Prevention Strategies

   • Outlines ways to change environments or routines to reduce triggers or stressors.

   • May include things like visual supports, structured schedules, or adjustments to communication methods.

4. Skill Development

   • Identifies new skills the person can learn to replace behaviours of concern (e.g., asking for help, using calming techniques).

   • Includes teaching plans that are realistic and age-appropriate.

5. Response Strategies

   • Provides safe and respectful ways for caregivers and support staff to respond to behaviours of concern if they occur.

   • Focuses on de-escalation and maintaining the person’s dignity.

6. Crisis Management (if needed)

   • Includes a plan for high-risk situations, ensuring safety for the individual and others.

   • May involve approved restrictive practices—but only as a last resort and under strict guidelines and regulation by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

7. Monitoring and Review

   • The plan is a living document, regularly reviewed and updated based on the person’s progress, changes in life circumstances, and data collected on behaviour.

A PBSP:

• Empowers the individual by focusing on strengths and skill-building.

• Address and reduce behaviours of concern in a proactive and respectful way.

• Supports consistency across different environments (home, school, community).

• Protects rights and safety, particularly when restrictive practices are involved.

PBS is a comprehensive approach to assessment, planning and intervention that focuses on addressing a person’s needs, home environment and overall quality of life. This includes working with the individual person, family, therapists, support workers, school and others involved in supporting the person.

The most important outcome in positive support is an improvement in a person’s quality of life. We come to you in your home or via telehealth to provide this support.

Positive Behaviour Support is regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. There are key steps and reports a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner must develop as part of this support.

• Interim Behaviour Support Plan: This temporary plan focuses on minimising risks associated with existing restrictive practices. It needs to be completed and submitted to the NDIS Commission within 1 month after a Support Provider identifies the use of Restrictive Practices and appoints a Behaviour Practitioner.
• Functional Behavioural Assessment: This assessment dives deeper into Behaviours of Concern, identifying “where,” “when,” and the potential reasons (“hypothesis”) why the behaviours occur. This information is used to guide strategies and develop a Comprehensive Plan.
• Comprehensive Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP): This comprehensive plan is developed collaboratively with the individual, their family, and support network. It incorporates the Functional Behavioural Assessment and focuses on reducing Behaviours of Concerns and minimising the use of restrictive practices. The plan must be completed and submitted to the NDIS Commission within 6 months and reviewed annually.

Please visit the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for further information.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is funded when a person demonstrates behaviours of concern that may be challenging in their own environment.

For example – the behaviour might challenge those around them.

We can assist where a person would benefit from behaviour support that is not currently funded in their NDIS plan. This involves a comprehensive evaluation as part of a Functional Behavioural Assessment and Recommendations Report.

This can be funded out of Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living (IDL) in an individual NDIS plan.

This report will:

• Identify potential behaviours of concern 
• Recommend the need for Behaviour Support
• Provide evidence for funding allocation in the “Improved Relationships” category during your next NDIS plan review.

Note: This use of improved daily living funds covers information gathering and report writing only. It doesn’t include development of Behaviour Support strategies or ongoing support services.

Behaviours of Concern can affect a person’s well-being, social inclusion, and physical safety, or disrupt their daily life.

Examples include, but are not limited to: self-harm, physical or verbal aggression toward others, disruptive behaviour, running away, social withdrawal or difficulty communicating needs effectively.

Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners seek to understand concerning behaviours in a supportive environment to change things for the better.

Restrictive practices are interventions that limit a person’s freedom of movement or access to activities. These are used as a last resort and aim to be minimized or eliminated through Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies.

As defined by NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission, this includes:

• Seclusion: Confining an individual in a room.
• Environmental Restraint: Limiting access to specific areas or items.
• Chemical Restraint: Medication used primarily to influence behaviour (excluding medications for medical reasons).
• Mechanical Restraint: Devices used to restrict movement (e.g., wheelchair seatbelt for someone who can walk).
• Physical Restraint: Physical force used to restrict or control movement.

PBS prioritises understanding the reasons behind behaviours and developing alternative strategies, reducing the need for restrictive practices whenever possible and improving overall quality of life.

Our Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners are available to provide support on the Sunshine Coast, Greater Brisbane and Gold Coast regions.

In the sunny Gold Coast, this includes both the North and South Gold Coast, from Coolangatta to Coomera and surrounds.

In Greater Brisbane we support all areas in the Moreton Bay region / Caboolture, North Lakes, Brisbane Bayside, Wider Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and surrounds.

Our Sunshine Coast team is supported by experienced Team Leader and Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner Sian McCue.

We provide Positive Behaviour Support services in Noosa, Coolum Beach, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Maleny, Montville, Buderim, Nambour, Currimundi, Caloundra, Golden Beach, Beerwah, Glass House Mountains and surrounds in the beautiful Sunshine Coast region.

For regional or rural clients, telehealth services ensure no one misses out on vital support.

We offer both telehealth and face-to-face services. Please discuss your individual requirements with us and we will work with you to ensure you are comfortable and your support needs are accommodated.

Yes. Client parking can be located under directly behind our building or there is free on street parking directly in front of the clinic.

Yes. We have rooms available on our ground floor, with wheelchair accessible entry. Please advise if you require an accessible room.