What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred, evidence-based approach to supporting people who may display behaviours that challenge. At its core, PBS is about understanding why a behaviour is happening. We know that all behaviour is a form of communication—it’s a person’s way of telling us that something isn’t working, that an important need is unmet, or that they lack the skills to cope in a situation.
Instead of just reacting to the behaviour, our PBS approach focuses on:
- Improving Quality of Life: By making positive changes to a person’s environment, relationships, and opportunities.
- Teaching New Skills: Helping individuals develop more effective ways to communicate their needs or manage difficult situations.
- Proactive Support: Creating a supportive environment that prevents distress and the need for challenging behaviour in the first place.
Our PBS Provision
Our dedicated PBS team comprises of a national lead, a regional lead, and regional practitioners. Our team continues to grow and develop, so we may further improve our provision. Team members bring specialist expertise directly to our social care division and services. Our provision includes:
- Functional Behavioural Assessments (FBA): Analysis to understand the function (the “why”) of a person’s behaviour. This process includes questionnaires, observations, standard assessments, and talking to different people.
- Individualised PBS Plans: Tailored, practical strategies co-developed with the individual, their family, and support staff. These are living documents that evolve with the person.
- Specialist Training & Coaching: Providing all our support staff with ongoing training in core PBS principles and plan implementation, ensuring consistent, high-quality care.
- Ongoing Implementation & Monitoring: Regularly collecting data and reviewing plans to ensure the strategies are effective and continue to meet the person’s changing needs. Offering direct support to services and teams.
- Service Reviews & Auditing: Regularly review services against bespoke and widely utilised criteria to ensure services are engaging in PBS as a holistic framework.
- Transition Support: Engaging with transitions into Social Care to allow for the highest possible chance of success through identifying people’s needs in advance, and creating capable environments.
What this means for people in Social Care: Your journey with us
Integrating PBS fundamentally changes the support journey, making it more positive, proactive, and focused on lasting outcomes. Our PBS-Focused Journey leads to:
- Proactive Understanding: Starting with a deep, respectful dive into the person’s life, health, and environment to prevent distress.
- Empowerment: Strategies focus on enriching life, teaching new skills, and reducing the need for any restrictive practices.
- Personalised Care: A bespoke PBS Plan that is unique to the individual, promoting their choices and inclusion.
The journey changes from managing challenges to building a life of greater opportunity, choice, and connection. It’s about creating a truly capable environment where individuals can thrive.
Benefits of our PBS Team
Our specialist PBS team delivers the following benefits:
For Individuals and Families
- Improved Well-being: A higher quality of life, increased happiness, and greater community inclusion.
- Stronger Relationships: Better understanding and communication reduce family/carer stress and strengthen bonds.
- Increased Independence: Individuals learn essential skills, leading to greater self-determination and autonomy.
- Reduced Use of Restriction: Focusing on proactive support minimises the need for restrictive interventions, protecting dignity and rights.
For Staff Teams and Commissioners
- Reduced Incidents: Fewer challenging behaviours lead to a calmer, safer, and more positive working environment.
- Increased Staff Confidence & Skill: Staff feel more capable, informed, and resilient with specialist training and resources.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Demonstrating a commitment to best practice, which supports compliance and positive commissioner outcomes.
- Effective Resource Management: Proactive support prevents crises, reducing the need for intensive, high-cost crisis support later on.