Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an approach that helps people understand and manage behaviours that may affect their daily life.
It focuses on the person, their needs, their environment, and the reasons behind their behaviour.
The main goal is to understand why a behaviour happens and provide the right support to help the person communicate, make choices, build skills, and participate in everyday activities.
What Is Positive Behaviour Support?
Positive Behaviour Support is a person-centred approach that aims to improve a person’s quality of life and support positive behaviour change.
PBS looks at behaviour in context.
A behaviour may happen because a person is trying to communicate a need, avoid something difficult, cope with stress, respond to their environment, or get access to something important to them.
For example, a person may become upset when their usual routine changes.
Instead of only focusing on the behaviour, PBS looks at what may be causing the distress.
Could the change have been unexpected?
Was the person given enough information?
Do they have a way to communicate that they are uncomfortable?
Understanding these factors can help identify better ways to provide support.
How Does PBS Work?
PBS starts by getting to know the person.
This includes understanding their:
- Strengths
- Preferences
- Communication needs
- Daily routines
- Environment
- Relationships
- Skills
- Goals
- Support needs
The next step is to understand the behaviour.
Support teams may look at what happens before a behaviour, what the behaviour looks like, and what happens afterwards.
This can help identify patterns and possible triggers.
Once these factors are understood, strategies can be developed to support the person’s needs.
These strategies may include changing the environment, improving communication, teaching new skills, creating predictable routines, or providing appropriate choices.
The approach is reviewed over time to see what is working and what needs to change.
Why Does Behaviour Happen?
Behaviour happens for a reason.
Sometimes the reason is easy to identify. Sometimes it takes time and careful observation.
A person may behave in a certain way because they are:
- Trying to communicate
- Experiencing pain or discomfort
- Feeling anxious or overwhelmed
- Finding a task difficult
- Responding to changes in routine
- Seeking social interaction
- Trying to gain more independence
- Trying to avoid an uncomfortable situation
For example, someone who cannot easily communicate that they need a break may show signs of distress instead.
PBS looks at what the behaviour may be communicating and considers how the person’s needs can be supported in another way.
Who Can Benefit From PBS?
Positive Behaviour Support can be used with people who experience behaviours that affect their safety, wellbeing, relationships, daily activities, or quality of life.
It is commonly used to support people with disability and people with complex support needs.
PBS can also support the people around them.
Families, carers, support workers, teachers, and other professionals may use PBS strategies to provide consistent and appropriate support.
The approach is individualised.
There is no single strategy that works for everyone.
What Are the Benefits of PBS?
PBS can support positive changes in different areas of a person’s life.
1. Better Communication
A person may use behaviour when they do not have another effective way to communicate.
PBS can help identify communication needs and introduce ways for the person to express wants, needs, feelings, and choices.
2. Greater Independence
PBS can help people develop practical skills for everyday life.
This may include making choices, following routines, communicating needs, managing emotions, and completing daily activities.
3. Improved Quality of Life
PBS considers more than behaviour.
It looks at whether the person has opportunities to make choices, build relationships, take part in meaningful activities, and have control over their daily life.
4. Reduced Distress
Understanding triggers can help prevent situations that cause unnecessary distress.
Changes to routines, environments, communication, or support can make difficult situations easier to manage.
5. Consistent Support
PBS can give families and support teams clear strategies to follow.
When everyone understands what works for the person, support can become more consistent across different settings.
What Does PBS Look Like in Everyday Life?
PBS can be part of everyday routines and activities.
For example, a person may find it difficult when plans change.
A support worker could provide advance notice, explain what will happen, and offer choices where possible.
Another person may become frustrated when they cannot communicate what they want.
Communication supports can give them another way to express their needs.
Someone else may find certain environments overwhelming.
Reducing noise, changing the environment, or providing access to a quiet space may help.
These strategies are based on the individual.
The aim is to identify what makes situations easier and provide support before difficulties occur.
What Is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan?
A Positive Behaviour Support Plan provides clear information about how a person can be supported.
It is developed around the person’s individual needs and goals.
A plan may include:
- Information about the person’s strengths and preferences
- Behaviours that may affect their quality of life
- Possible triggers
- Early signs of distress
- Preventative strategies
- Communication strategies
- Skills that can be developed
- Ways to respond to behaviour
- Ways to measure progress
- Information about improving quality of life
A PBS plan should be practical and relevant to the person.
It should also be reviewed regularly as the person’s needs, goals, and circumstances change.
Is PBS Only About Challenging Behaviour?
No.
Reducing behaviours that may cause harm or distress is one part of PBS.
The broader focus is on improving quality of life, which includes helping a person communicate more effectively, develop new skills, build relationships, participate in activities, make choices, and gain greater independence.
Behaviour change is more meaningful when it supports positive outcomes in the person’s life.
Does PBS Use Punishment?
PBS focuses on positive and proactive approaches.
The aim is to understand the reasons behind behaviour and reduce the need for behaviours that may be harmful or restrictive by addressing the underlying needs.
Strategies may include teaching new skills, improving communication, changing environments, and providing appropriate support.
Any behaviour support approach should prioritise the person’s rights, dignity, safety, and quality of life.
How Long Does PBS Take to Work?
There is no fixed timeframe.
Every person is different, and the factors affecting behaviour can vary.
Some strategies may produce changes quickly. Others may require ongoing support and adjustment.
Progress should be monitored regularly.
If a strategy is not working, it may need to be changed.
PBS is an ongoing process of understanding, supporting, reviewing, and improving.
Final Thoughts
Positive Behaviour Support is about understanding people and providing support that meets their individual needs.
It looks at what happens around behaviour, what the person may be communicating, and what can be changed to improve their everyday experience.
When the right support is in place, people can have more opportunities to communicate, make choices, develop skills, build relationships, and participate in their communities.
The focus is simple: better support, better outcomes, and a better quality of life.
