Specialist Behaviour Support referrals in Mackay, QLD

Positive behaviour support — functional assessment, behaviour support plans and the safe reduction of restrictive practices — delivered by practitioners the NDIS Commission considers suitable. Registration and oversight apply.

Specialist Behaviour Support is a capacity building support under the NDIS that delivers positive behaviour support (PBS) to participants whose disability is associated with behaviours of concern - behaviours that cause harm to the person or others, or that significantly limit their participation and quality of life. It is an evidence-based, person-centred approach: rather than simply managing an incident, the practitioner works to understand why a behaviour is happening and to change the environment, routines and skills around the person so the behaviour becomes less necessary.

The work centres on a functional behaviour assessment and a behaviour support plan. The practitioner assesses the function of the behaviour, then develops proactive, person-centred strategies and coaches the people around the participant - support workers, family and carers - to implement them consistently. A core aim is to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate restrictive practices over time.

This is a regulated support. Providers delivering specialist behaviour support must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and behaviour support practitioners must be assessed by the Commission as suitable to deliver it. Where a behaviour support plan contains regulated restrictive practices, those practices must be authorised in line with the relevant state or territory arrangements and the plan lodged with the Commission. Because of this oversight, registration is legally required for this support type.

Coordinator FAQs

Does a provider need to be registered to deliver specialist behaviour support?
Yes. Specialist behaviour support is a regulated support, so providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for this support type, and their behaviour support practitioners must be assessed by the Commission as suitable. This applies regardless of how the participant's plan is managed, because of the…
Which budget category funds this support?
Specialist behaviour support is funded from the Improved Relationships category within the Capacity Building budget. Check the participant's plan has funding available in that category before referring, covering the functional behaviour assessment, plan development and the implementation support that follows. If it is not funded, you may…
Can a plan-managed or self-managed participant use this support?
Yes, but the provider still needs to be registered with the NDIS Commission for behaviour support. Registration requirements for this support type are driven by the Commission's oversight of behaviour support plans and restrictive practices, not by the plan-management type. So even where a participant is plan-managed or self-managed, the…
What is the difference between a behaviour support practitioner and a psychologist or OT?
A behaviour support practitioner is a role, not a single profession. Practitioners come from varied backgrounds - psychology, occupational therapy, social work, nursing and others - and are assessed by the NDIS Commission as suitable against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Suitability is assessed at different levels,…
What are restrictive practices and what is my role as coordinator?
Restrictive practices are actions that restrict a person's rights or freedom of movement, such as certain forms of environmental, physical, chemical or seclusion-based restraint. Regulated restrictive practices must be authorised under state or territory rules and included in a behaviour support plan lodged with the NDIS Commission. Your…
How long does a functional behaviour assessment and plan take?
Timeframes vary with complexity, but expect the assessment and comprehensive plan to take several weeks, as the practitioner gathers information, observes, consults the support team and drafts strategies. Where there is immediate risk, an interim behaviour support plan can often be developed more quickly to put safeguards in place while…
What is the difference between an interim and a comprehensive behaviour support plan?
An interim behaviour support plan is a shorter-term plan put in place quickly, often where there is risk or restrictive practices in use, so safeguards and initial strategies exist while assessment continues. A comprehensive behaviour support plan follows the full functional behaviour assessment and sets out detailed, person-centred…
Do I need participant consent before referring?
Yes. Obtain the participant's (or their nominee's or guardian's) informed consent before sharing personal information or making a referral. A complete, consented referral - including the NDIS number, plan-management type, relevant line items and budget, reason for referral and any behaviours of concern - lets the provider triage and…