Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is designed to improve quality of life by understanding why behaviours of concern happen and putting practical, respectful strategies in place to support change over time.
For many NDIS participants, working with a Behaviour Support Practitioner is not about “fixing” someone. It makes daily life safer, more predictable and more connected for the participant and the people around them.
At LifeLift, behaviour support services are delivered using a person-centred, evidence-based PBS approach. There is no waitlist. Our team is available now, so you can get started without delay. Supports are developed collaboratively with participants and, where appropriate, parents, carers, educators, employers and support workers. The focus is always on dignity, autonomy, and what matters most to the individual.
What does a Behaviour Support Practitioner do?
A NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner helps participants (and their support network) understand behaviours of concern and develop strategies that reduce risk and improve day-to-day participation. What does this look like?
- identifying behaviours of concern and the impact they have on safety, relationships and routine
- exploring what may be contributing to the behaviour (social, physical, emotional or environmental factors)
- completing a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) to understand triggers and patterns
- developing a Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) with practical strategies and skill-building supports
- providing guidance and training to the people implementing the plan, including family and support workers
- monitoring progress and updating strategies as needs, environments or routines change
The goal is not short-term “behaviour management”. PBS is proactive, strengths-based and focused on building skills and supportive environments so the person can thrive.
What are “behaviours of concern”?
Behaviours of concern are actions that can be unsafe, disruptive, or significantly affect daily life. They are often a person’s way of communicating an unmet need, distress, discomfort, or a mismatch between their environment and support.
Depending on the person and context, behaviours of concern may include:
- self-harm
- aggression or verbal escalation
- property damage
- repetitive behaviours that interfere with daily functioning
- withdrawal, shutdown or avoidance that limits participation
- unsafe or impulsive behaviours that increase risk
LifeLift approaches behaviours of concern through a lens of empathy and understanding. The focus is on what the behaviour may be communicating and what can be changed to better meet the person’s needs.
When should you consider behaviour support?
When safety becomes a concern
If behaviours are placing the participant or others at risk (even occasionally) it’s important to seek support.
This might include escalation that leads to injury, property damage, absconding, unsafe impulsive behaviour, or patterns that are becoming more intense over time. With immediate availability and fast turnaround, LifeLift means you don’t have to wait for things to escalate further.
When behaviours are limiting everyday participation
Behaviour support is often appropriate when a person is missing out on daily life because of ongoing behavioural challenges, such as:
- difficulty attending school, work or community activities
- challenges with routines such as meals, sleep, personal care or appointments
- increased isolation or exclusion from activities
- strained relationships at home, in supported accommodation, or in the community
PBS aims to reduce the barriers that keep people from participating meaningfully.
When there is a clear pattern, trigger or “cycle”
If behaviours occur in predictable situations (for example, transitions, crowded environments, unexpected changes, noise, communication breakdowns, fatigue or pain), an FBA can help identify what is happening before, during and after the behaviour. Things can be adjusted to reduce distress.
When the support team is unsure how to respond consistently
Even well-meaning support can accidentally reinforce a behaviour if responses vary between people and settings.
Behaviour support helps align everyone (family, educators, support workers and providers) to respond in ways that are consistent, respectful and focused on skill-building.
During major transitions or changes
- starting or changing school
- moving house or changing living arrangements
- changes in carers, support workers or services
- significant health changes, increasing fatigue or pain
- changes in routine that increase stress or uncertainty
These transitions can affect behaviour because they change predictability, control and support needs.
What happens when you start behaviour support?
Most PBS support begins with a clear understanding of the person, their environment and their goals. At LifeLift, this process is collaborative and family-focused (where appropriate), with strategies designed to be practical in real-world settings. With no waitlist, immediate availability and a fast turnaround, the process can begin promptly so the people who need support are not left waiting.
Step 1: Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)
A Functional Behaviour Assessment helps identify:
- what triggers or contributes to behaviours of concern
- what needs may not be being met
- how environments, routines, communication and support approaches affect behaviour
- what changes and skill-building strategies may reduce the behaviour over time
LifeLift’s team uses the FBA to develop insight into behavioural patterns across settings such as home, school, work or community participation.
Step 2: A Behaviour Support Plan (BSP)
- proactive strategies (what to do before behaviour escalates)
- environmental adjustments (routines, expectations, sensory supports)
- skill development (communication, coping skills, emotional regulation strategies)
- guidance for families and support workers (how to respond in the moment)
- monitoring and review steps to track progress and make changes as needed
LifeLift notes that a comprehensive plan often takes 10–20 hours, depending on complexity. If immediate intervention is needed, an interim plan may be created while the full assessment and plan are completed.
Behaviour support and restrictive practices
Sometimes restrictive practices are used to protect safety, but these are a last resort, used only when necessary to protect the participant or others from harm, and documented and reviewed appropriately.
When involved, behaviour support must follow the relevant NDIS rules and reporting requirements. Where required, the restrictive practice is included in the Behaviour Support Plan and reviewed regularly, with a clear goal of reducing and eliminating the use of these practices over time.
How Positive Behaviour Support is different from “behaviour management”
Families and support teams are often told to “manage behaviour”, but PBS takes a different approach. It’s about:
- understanding why the behaviour is happening
- preventing escalation by changing what can be changed (support, environment, routines)
- teaching new, functional skills that replace behaviours of concern
- supporting dignity, participation and long-term wellbeing
Traditional behaviour management approaches are more likely to be reactive and focused on controlling behaviour, rather than addressing what is driving it.
Who can benefit from working with a Behaviour Support Practitioner?
Behaviour support is used across ages and settings. LifeLift’s PBS team supports children, teens, adults and older people, including individuals living with autism, disability, brain injury, dementia, ADHD and learning challenges.
It may be appropriate when behaviours of concern are persistent, distressing, unsafe, or significantly affecting day-to-day life, regardless of diagnosis. What matters most is the functional impact and the person’s support needs.
Working alongside other supports
Behaviour support works best when it aligns with the broader support team. At LifeLift, behaviour support practitioners and allied health therapists may work alongside:
- NDIS Occupational Therapy (daily living skills, environmental supports, sensory strategies)
- NDIS Speech Pathology (communication supports that reduce frustration and improve participation)
- NDIS Psychological Therapy (mental health support and therapeutic interventions)
- NDIS Physiotherapy (pain, mobility, physical factors that may influence behaviour)
- Support Coordination (helping implement and align services and supports)
Each discipline works within its scope, with PBS providing the behavioural framework and practical strategies that can be carried consistently across settings.
Accessing NDIS behaviour support with LifeLift
LifeLift is a registered NDIS provider delivering Positive Behaviour Support services across Perth and
Bunbury, with a person-centred, culturally sensitive and family-focused approach. There is no waitlist. LifeLift has immediate availability, so if behaviour support is the right next step, you can book in and get started right away.
If you’re unsure whether behaviour support is included in your plan, or you want to understand whether PBS is the right next step, you can speak with the team.
Contact us today and call 08 6244 5353, email info@lifelift.net.au, or visit us in 629 Ranford Road, Forrestdale WA 6112.
View the Referral Form online.
