Positive behaviour support is a person-centred approach that looks at why behaviours of concern happen and how a person's environment and supports can change to improve their quality of life.
It starts from respect. Rather than focusing only on the behaviour, it tries to understand what the behaviour communicates – a need, a frustration or a reaction to the surroundings – and then builds skills, relationships and settings where the person feels safe.
A written plan prepared by a qualified behaviour support practitioner with the person and their supporters. It generally includes:
Restrictive practices are regulated in Australia, and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission sets behaviour support rules under the NDIS. Some participants have specialist behaviour support funded in their NDIS plan.
Some people find calming or relaxation activities helpful, and acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine may help some people with pain, muscle tension, sleep and stress. These are complements only: they are not behaviour support and do not replace a behaviour support plan, your GP or treating team. Treatment should be from an AHPRA-registered Chinese medicine practitioner; tell your GP and pharmacist about any herbs because of possible interactions with medicines, and take extra care in pregnancy. Homeland Care does not provide these treatments.
To talk about behaviour support and how Homeland Care could work alongside you, your family and your other supports, please contact us. See also our disability services.
