The role of Positive Behaviour Support in tacking challenging behaviours

By Samuel Court

Understanding why challenging behaviour occurs can be difficult for family and friends, but it is important to recognise that there are often underlying reasons behind it.

We understand how these situations can be emotionally taxing for loved ones. While this behaviour can be upsetting, it is often a way for the individual to communicate unintentionally.

The Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework is designed to enhance the quality of life for both the individual and those around them through structured support.

This approach is suitable for individuals of all ages, including adolescents, helping to identify their needs and ensuring they receive the appropriate support.

Understanding challenging behaviour

Challenging behaviour frequently occurs in people with learning disabilities, autism or cognitive impairments.

Common types of challenging behaviour include:

• Destruction of property
• Aggression towards other people
• Self-harm
• Running away
• Consumption of non-food items
• Other forms of self-destructive behaviour

Though managing these behaviours can be challenging, they are often a means for individuals to communicate and assert control over their lives and surroundings.

The PBS framework

PBS is a proactive approach that uses behaviour science principles to improve quality of life by addressing challenging behaviours.

Key aspects of the PBS framework include:

• Identifying needs and contexts:
• Understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviours to replace them with positive alternatives.
• Skill development and environment adaption:
• Teaching new skills to manage situations and emotions effectively.
• Adapting the physical environment to prevent challenging behaviours.
• Collaborative approach:
• Involving the individual, their family and professionals in creating personalised strategies.
• Ensuring interventions are meaningful and integrated into the individual’s life.
• Evidence-based practices:
• Using scientific methods to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
• Refining strategies continuously for improvement.

This approach not only addresses challenging behaviours effectively but also enhances the individual’s overall well-being.

Implementing PBS with the ‘All About Me’ plan

Implementing PBS begins with understanding the specific causes of challenging behaviour through functional assessment.

This assessment reveals how such behaviours are learned and maintained. Following this, a PBS plan is collaboratively developed by all involved in the individual’s care, including family members and carers.

Integral to our person-centred approach is our ‘All About Me’ plan, which embodies our commitment to tailored care.

This detailed plan gathers essential information about each person’s personal care needs, ensuring that these are always a priority.

It serves as a pivotal guide for how we engage and interact with individuals, emphasising the importance of their unique voice and promoting effective collaboration with their carers.

Our trained carers work closely with families to integrate the ‘All About Me’ plan with the broader PBS strategy, creating plans that truly reflect our client’s best interests.

This unified approach helps foster an environment that not only reduces challenging behaviour but also enriches the lives of those involved, ensuring all their needs are met comprehensively.

If you would like to know more about our Children’s Services, visit our website or get in touch today and find out how we can make a difference in your child’s life.