What is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan?

Positive Behaviour Support Plan – Your Complete Guide

A Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBS plan) is a structured, person-centred strategy designed to reduce behaviours of concern and build new, positive skills. It’s a key part of Positive Behaviour Support and is especially important for individuals with disabilities who may display challenging behaviours.

At Everyday Independence, we work closely with NDIS participants and their support networks to create tailored Positive Behaviour Support Plans that promote safety, dignity, independence, and participation in everyday life.

Read this comprehensive guide to understand:

• why a positive behaviour support plan is Important
• how a positive behaviour support plan is developed
• what is included in a PBS Plan
• how to organise a positive behaviour support plan.

What is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan?

A Positive Behaviour Support Plan is an evidence-based tool used to identify, prevent, and manage behaviours of concern. It outlines practical strategies to support a person’s development, improve quality of life, and reduce the need for restrictive practices. These plans are developed by NDIS-registered behaviour support practitioners in collaboration with the participant and their support team.

PBS plans are based on the principles of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, ensuring all supports are consistent, person-centred, and uphold the rights of individuals with disability.

These plans are not just documents—they’re dynamic, evolving tools that help create supportive environments and stronger, more connected relationships between the participant and their support network.

Why is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan Important?

What’s Included in a Positive Behaviour Support Plan?

Every PBS plan includes:

• Personal details: participant info, key contacts, and service providers
• Daily routines and preferences: strengths, goals, and what matters to the person
• Behaviour details: frequency, intensity, triggers, and impact of behaviours of concern
• Support strategies: de-escalation, skill-building, and communication tools
• Monitoring and review: who will review the plan, how often, and how progress will be measured
• Restrictive practice protocols (if applicable): including proactive alternatives, usage conditions, and clear reduction goals

The plan also outlines how strategies will be delivered across different environments such as school, community settings, or supported accommodation. This ensures consistency, which is critical for behaviour change.

Types of Positive Behaviour Support Plans

There are two main types of PBS plans under the NDIS:

Interim Positive Behaviour Support Plan

• Required within 30 days if restrictive practices are in use
• Provides short-term, risk-reducing strategies while a comprehensive plan is developed

Comprehensive Positive Behaviour Support Plan

• Developed over 6–12 months
• Involves detailed assessments and collaboration with the participant’s full support network
• Designed to guide long-term positive behaviour change and skill development

The choice between an interim and comprehensive plan depends on the participant’s needs, risks, and current supports in place. Both plans must follow the NDIS guidelines and can only be developed by qualified practitioners.

How is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan Developed?

Creating a PBS plan involves four steps:

Step 1: Initial Consultation

A behaviour support practitioner meets with the participant, family, and key supports to understand:

• Physical, emotional, and social needs
• Behaviour triggers and functions (why the behaviour occurs)
• Communication assessments
• Priority goals and areas for support
• De-escalation strategies that align with least-restrictive principles

This stage may also include interviews with support workers, teachers, or allied health practitioners already working with the participant.

Step 2: Positive Behaviour Plan Development

A detailed analysis of the behaviour’s function such as escape, seeking interaction, or sensory needs is completed. The practitioner identifies targeted supports to increase positive behaviours and reduce behaviours of concern.

This process often includes direct observation, review of incident reports, and collaboration with others in the support network to build a clear picture of the person’s experiences and needs.

Step 3: Implementation and Consistent Review

The PBS plan is created, shared, and implemented across the person’s environments—home, school, work, and community. Consistent use across all settings is key to achieving outcomes.

Practitioners also ensure that all team members are trained and confident in using the plan, and will monitor whether strategies are working as intended.

Step 4: Outcome and Further Recommendations Report

The plan is reviewed regularly, and adjustments are made as needed. Outcome reports track progress, highlight barriers, and inform future NDIS planning.

This step ensures that the plan evolves as the person builds new skills or as their needs and circumstances change. It’s also critical for demonstrating value to the NDIS in future funding reviews.

What Are Restrictive Practices?

Restrictive practices limit a person’s freedom or rights, often used as a last resort for safety. These may include:

• Chemical restraint
• Physical restraint
• Mechanical restraint
• Environmental restraint
• Seclusion

A PBS plan that includes restrictive practices must clearly justify their use and include proactive strategies to reduce or eliminate them over time. The use of any restrictive practices must be authorised, monitored, and reduced wherever possible to ensure the person’s rights are upheld.

Who Can Write a Positive Behaviour Support Plan?

A positive behaviour support plan must be written by a qualified behaviour support practitioner as defined by the Positive Behaviour Capability Framework. The plan is developed in consultation with:

• the NDIS participant
• family, carers or guardians
• support workers
• Professionals and therapists eg speech pathologists, occupational therapists, GPs, teachers

Organising a PBS Plan with Everyday Independence

At Everyday Independence, our behaviour support practitioners take a person-centred and team based approach. We get to know you, your family, and your support network so we can develop strategies that:

• build everyday skills

• strengthen relationships

• reduce behaviours of concern

• create environments where people thrive.

You may be able to create a Positive Behaviour Support Plan with your Improved Relationships funding. For participants with moderate behaviours of concern and no specific behaviour support funding, our team can also support you using Improved Daily Living funding through structured behaviour support programs.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to develop a Positive Behaviour Support Plan with us, complete our online referral form and a member of our team will contact you shortly.

References

[1] NDIS, 2024. Understanding Behavioural Support and Restrictive Practices. https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/participants/incidents-and-behaviour-support/understanding-behaviour-support-and-restrictive practices