How does PBS work?
Through positive support and reinforcement, PBS builds on a person’s interests and strengths and helps them to develop useful skills, such as communication and coping strategies, which are essential to reducing a person’s use of behaviours of protest to have their wants and needs met.
“PBS provides everybody strategies to work effectively with Jayne. It helps everybody to have a better understanding about her and enables Jayne to receive the appropriate support she needs. The result is a happier Jayne and support worker.”
The PBS Process
Assessment: understanding what’s going on
We’ll create a short-term plan that helps keep everyone safe. This then gives us the time to really get to know the person. We work with the person, plus professionals, as well as the person’s family and support crew. We observe, ask questions and gather data to understand what’s happening and why. This results in a Functional Behaviour Assessment Report – kind of like a roadmap that shows what’s driving the behaviour.
Planning: creating the right support
Now we’re ready to put together a Behaviour Support Plan. This plan is completely tailored to the person. It includes: positive, proactive strategies, ways to help the person learn new skills, support when things get tough, steps to reduce (and eventually remove) any restrictive practices and a focus on changing environments around the person, not “fixing” the person.
Implementation: we’re in this together
We don’t just hand over the plan and walk away. Our practitioners provide ongoing support, working alongside support staff to make sure they understand the plan and that the plan is being followed in real life. We coach, troubleshoot and attend team meetings to keep things on track. Our goal is always to reduce and eventually eliminate restrictive practices. The more supported and understood a person feels, the less likely they are to need to use behaviours of protest.
Ongoing learning: supporting our team to support others
Using data and feedback, we keep track of how the person is going and whether the strategies are actually helping. If not, we adjust. PBS is always evolving to meet the person’s needs. Our PBS practitioners are passionate, experienced and constantly learning. They’re registered with the NDIS and supported through ongoing training and supervision, so they stay up to date with the latest thinking and best practices.
Assessment: understanding what’s going on
We’ll create a short-term plan that helps keep everyone safe. This then gives us the time to really get to know the person. We work with the person, plus professionals, as well as the person’s family and support crew. We observe, ask questions and gather data to understand what’s happening and why. This results in a Functional Behaviour Assessment Report – kind of like a roadmap that shows what’s driving the behaviour.
Planning: creating the right support
Now we’re ready to put together a Behaviour Support Plan. This plan is completely tailored to the person. It includes: positive, proactive strategies, ways to help the person learn new skills, support when things get tough, steps to reduce (and eventually remove) any restrictive practices and a focus on changing environments around the person, not “fixing” the person.
Implementation: we’re in this together
We don’t just hand over the plan and walk away. Our practitioners provide ongoing support, working alongside support staff to make sure they understand the plan and that the plan is being followed in real life. We coach, troubleshoot and attend team meetings to keep things on track. Our goal is always to reduce and eventually eliminate restrictive practices. The more supported and understood a person feels, the less likely they are to need to use behaviours of protest.
Ongoing learning: supporting our team to support others
Using data and feedback, we keep track of how the person is going and whether the strategies are actually helping. If not, we adjust. PBS is always evolving to meet the person’s needs. Our PBS practitioners are passionate, experienced and constantly learning. They’re registered with the NDIS and supported through ongoing training and supervision, so they stay up to date with the latest thinking and best practices.
Why Choose Melba?
- We’ve been supporting people who have complex behaviour support needs to live fabulous and purposeful lives for 50 years.
- We have a demonstrated record in providing high-quality, evidence-based, person-centred, positive behaviour support.
- We partner with the person, families, staff and other relevant stakeholders in the development and implementation of a person’s positive behaviour support plan. We provide ongoing training, coaching and support to ensure that the strategies are working for the person and others.
- Our qualified team of registered NDIS positive behaviour support practitioners adopt a Trauma Informed Approach.
- We are an outcomes focused organisation and believe that all people have the right to dream big – and that with the right supports they can achieve their dreams.
Get Support
To find out more about our Positive Behaviour Support practice contact us today.
What is the focus of our PBS practice?
The focus of our PBS practice is on better supporting people through improving their quality of life – and the lives of those around them.
What does our PBS practice do?
Our practice is trauma-informed and of the highest standard. We are an NDIS registered PBS provider. We work with people who express unmet needs or desires through behaviours of protest, to develop more positive interactions with others.
PBS is pro-active, meaning it focuses on getting the environment and support a person receives every day right for them, rather than just responding when behaviours of protest occur. This process anticipates when things may go wrong and works to prevent those things from happening.
To do this, our team works together to gain a deep understanding of a person and their behaviour. As all human behaviour is communicative, understanding what the person is communicating through behaviours of protest is critical for developing effective individualised strategies to better support the person.
Why do we take an individual approach?
As quality of life is unique to each person, we work with each individual, their family and other people in their support network to not only understand what a fabulous life looks like to them, but also plan how this will be achieved. Our approach is based on building trusting relationships and ensuring each person feels empowered and has choice and control over their life, to the greatest extent possible.
What are the outcomes of PBS?
PBS works toward improving quality of life and positive outcomes, including improved relationships with family and friends, increased participation in preferred community-based activities, positive life opportunities and a decreased need for the use of restrictive practices.
Get Support
If you are seeking support for yourself or someone else, contact us today.
Email Enquiry
"*" indicates required fields
As a trusted NDIS provider Victoria, Melba Support Services acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we work and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. Melba acknowledges and respects their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this region.