Behaviour support plan

A plan by a practitioner to understand and reduce behaviours of concern by improving a person’s quality of life and skills.

What it means

A behaviour support plan is a document developed by a behaviour support practitioner to understand why a person shows behaviours of concern and to help reduce those behaviours. Rather than relying on punishment or simply managing incidents, the plan looks at what the behaviour is telling us. Behaviours of concern often happen because a person is trying to communicate an unmet need, is in pain, feels unsafe, or is finding their environment confusing or overwhelming.

The plan focuses on improving the person's quality of life, their environment and their skills. It sets out practical strategies for the person and for everyone who supports them, so that support is consistent and respectful. Where restrictive practices are used, the plan must include a clear strategy to reduce and eventually remove them over time. Behaviour support plans are overseen by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

In practice

To write the plan, the practitioner completes a functional assessment. This usually involves spending time with the person, talking with family and support workers, reviewing records and looking at what happens before, during and after a behaviour. From this they identify triggers and the purpose the behaviour serves.

The plan then describes proactive strategies to prevent behaviours, teach new skills and adjust the environment, along with agreed responses for when a behaviour does happen. It is a working document that is reviewed and updated as the person's needs change and as support workers put it into practice day to day.

A real example

For example, Marcus began hitting the wall each afternoon at his day program. His behaviour support practitioner observed that this happened when the room became noisy and crowded. The plan introduced a quiet space, a picture card Marcus could use to ask for a break, and staff training. Over a few months the incidents dropped noticeably.

Behaviour support plan — FAQs

Who develops a behaviour support plan?
A behaviour support practitioner develops the plan. This is a person the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission considers suitable to deliver behaviour supports. They complete an assessment, work closely with the person and their support network, and write strategies that everyone can follow. Family, support workers and other professionals often contribute information to help make the plan accurate and useful.
Does a behaviour support plan use punishment?
No. A behaviour support plan does not rely on punishment. It takes a positive, person-centred approach that seeks to understand why a behaviour happens and to reduce it by improving the person's quality of life, environment and skills. The focus is on prevention, teaching new skills and meeting unmet needs, rather than reacting to behaviour with consequences that cause distress.
How do restrictive practices fit into the plan?
If restrictive practices are used, the behaviour support plan must include them and set out a strategy to reduce and eventually remove them. Restrictive practices are meant to be a last resort and closely monitored. The plan explains why any practice is used, how it is applied safely, and what the team is doing to build skills and change the environment so it is no longer needed.
How often is a behaviour support plan reviewed?
A behaviour support plan is a living document that is reviewed regularly and updated as the person's needs change. Reviews check whether strategies are working, whether behaviours of concern have reduced, and whether any restrictive practices can be lessened. The practitioner works with the person and their support network during reviews to make sure the plan stays accurate, respectful and effective.
Who needs to follow the behaviour support plan?
Everyone who supports the person should follow the plan, including support workers, family and other providers. Consistency is important, because the strategies only work well when they are applied the same way across settings. Support workers are usually given training and clear guidance so they understand the person's triggers, the proactive strategies to use, and how to respond calmly and safely if a behaviour happens.

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