Positive Behaviour Support
This page provides an overview of Positive Behaviour Support, what a Behaviour Support Practitioner does, and how Behaviour Support Plans are developed under the NDIS. You’ll also find details about our PBS process, who we support, and why families and providers choose Alvarra for ethical, person-centred Behaviour Support.
What is Positive Behaviour Support?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred, evidence-based approach that helps individuals improve their quality of life by understanding the why behind behaviour. Instead of focusing on the behaviour itself, PBS looks at what the behaviour is communicating, the unmet needs, emotions, sensory experiences or environmental factors influencing it.
A Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner works collaboratively with the person, their family and support network to strengthen skills, increase independence and create supportive environments. PBS aims to reduce behaviours of concern safely, respectfully and ethically, while building alternative ways for individuals to express their needs and participate confidently in daily life.
Grounded in human rights, neuroaffirming principles and a deep respect for each person’s unique strengths, Positive Behaviour Support promotes wellbeing, connection and meaningful long-term outcomes. It is not a one-size-fits-all model; it is tailored, thoughtful and designed to help people thrive in ways that honour who they are.
At Alvarra, our Positive Behaviour Support approach is compassionate, person-led and grounded in understanding the whole person, their strengths, needs and lived experience.
We work in ways that are:
- Trauma-informed – prioritising safety, trust and empowerment
- Neuroaffirming – respecting neurodiversity and authentic expression
- Strengths-based – building on abilities, interests and potential
- Human-rights-based – guided by dignity, autonomy and choice
- Culturally safe – inclusive and respectful of identity and community
- Collaborative – working closely with families, schools and providers
- Evidence-based – using research-informed strategies and clinical insight
This gentle, ethical and practical approach ensures our Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners deliver supports that truly improve quality of life.
A Behaviour Support Practitioner helps people understand behaviour, build new skills and improve their quality of life through personalised, evidence-based support. Their role is to look beyond the behaviour and understand the person, their needs, routines, strengths, environment and communication.
A Behaviour Support Practitioner will:
-
Listen and learn about the person, their story and what matters to them
-
Complete assessments, including Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBA)
-
Identify why behaviours occur and what they are communicating
-
Develop Behaviour Support Plans that include proactive strategies, skill-building and supportive environments
-
Work with families, schools and support teams to ensure everyone is confident and consistent
-
Provide training and coaching to carers and staff
-
Support the safe reduction of behaviours of concern using ethical, trauma-informed and neuroaffirming approaches
-
Review progress and update strategies as the person’s needs change
Behaviour Support Practitioners play an important role within the NDIS by helping individuals build confidence, independence and safer, more effective ways to communicate their needs.
Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBSP)
A Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is a personalised, evidence-based document developed by an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner to improve quality of life, build meaningful skills, and reduce behaviours of concern in safe, ethical and respectful ways. Each plan is tailored to the person’s strengths, needs, goals and environment, ensuring support that fits naturally into daily life.
Our Behaviour Support Plans include:
-
Proactive strategies that prevent challenges before they arise
-
Skill-building supports that strengthen communication, emotional regulation, independence and participation
-
Environmental and routine adjustments that increase predictability and comfort
-
Safety and risk considerations that prioritise wellbeing for everyone
-
Clear, practical guidance for families, carers, schools and support teams
-
Data-informed recommendations based on assessment, observation and evidence-based practice
-
Ethical restrictive practice guidance, with a strong focus on human rights, least-restrictive approaches and reducing restrictions over time
A well-designed PBSP helps individuals communicate their needs more effectively, experience fewer behavioural challenges, and participate in home, school and community life with greater confidence, safety and independence.
Every PBSP we create is crafted with care, clinical insight and a deep commitment to ethical, person-centred Positive Behaviour Support.
Our Positive Behaviour Support Process (Step-by-Step)
We believe good support should feel clear, predictable and transparent. Here’s what you can expect when you work with Alvarra:
Positive Behaviour Support Intake/Referal Process
Step 1: Referral Received
We receive your referral through our website, referral/intake form or through the QR Code. We review the details to ensure PBS or the other services we offer are right for you and to understand your goals and immediate needs. We ensure that we have capacity to ensure you receive the best support possible.
Step 2: Contact & Onboarding
We reach out to introduce ourselves, gather any additional information, and guide you through the onboarding process.
This may include:
- Consent forms
- Service agreement
- Funding confirmation
- Scheduling your first appointment
Everything is explained and the process commences once you are happy and the consent and service agreements are signed
Step 3: Assessment & Observations
We take the time to get to know the person behind the referral. This stage may involve:
- Interviews with family, carers, school or support teams
- Attending stakeholder meetings
- Reviewing allied health or medical reports, incident reports, or previous plans
- Direct observation (in person or via Telehealth)
- Identifying triggers, strengths, skills and communication needs
- Understanding routines, environments and supports
Our goal is to uncover the why behind behaviour.
Step 4: Plan Development
Using assessment outcomes, we develop an Interim (within 6 weeks) and/ or Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan (within 6 months) shaped around the person’s needs, goals and environment.
Each plan includes:
- Proactive strategies
- Skill-building supports and strategies
- Functionally equivalent replacement behaviour strategies (FERBS)
- Crisis, safety and risk plans
- Regulation and communication supports
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Least-restrictive and rights-based guidance
- We prioritise clear, practical, family-friendly strategies.
Step 5: Team Training & Implementation
We meet with the individual, family and support team to explain the plan and show how to use the strategies. This may include:
- Coaching support workers
- Helping families feel confident using strategies
- School-based collaboration
- Creating consistency across environments
Step 6: Ongoing Support, Review & Continuous Improvement
Behaviour change takes time, and we don’t leave you on your own.
We offer ongoing:
- Check-ins
- Coaching
- Observation
- Data review
- Problem-solving
- Support for new challenges
We review progress, update the plan and refine strategies based on what’s working well and what needs adjustment.
This ensures strategies are working and adjustments are made as needed and that the plan remains relevant, effective and responsive to the person’s growth.