What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?

Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) is an effective and ethical way of supporting people with learning disabilities who are at risk of behaviour that challenges. PBS is a framework for developing an understanding of behaviour that challenges rather than a single therapeutic approach, treatment or philosophy.

The overall goal of PBS is to improve the person’s quality of life and of those around them, thus reducing the likelihood of challenging behaviour occurring in the first place.

PBS is not a quick fix: the aim is to actively support people over the long-term and to monitor and maintain their quality of life.

At Oaklands we have adopted these essential aspects of PBS:

• People are valued and respected
• Supporting communication, health and well being
• Involving everyone and working in partnership
• Developing and using a behaviour support plan
• Skills teaching and development
• Staff skills and support

So PBS…

1. See it ~ Understand the needs of the child
2. Feel it ~ feeling compassion for them in ‘those’ moments
3. Be it ~ respond in a way that is suited to the moment and the child’s needs

Whole School & Pathway Approaches to PBS

Resources to help you understand more about PBS:

• A short animation: The British Institute of learning Disabilities (BILD) have produced a six minute animation which summarises PBS. You can access it at: www.bild.org.uk/capbs/animation.

• Information sheets: The Challenging Behaviour Foundation provides information and support for family carers of people with severe learning disabilities and behaviours described as challenging. The information sheet about Positive Behaviour Support planning provides information on managing challenging behaviour. It explains what a positive behaviour support plan is, who needs one and why. It should be read alongside the information sheets “Understanding challenging behaviour” and “Finding the causes of challenging behaviour”. Information sheets can be found at: http://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/information/information-sheets-anddvds/about-challenging-behaviour.html.

• DVD for family carers: “Challenging Behaviour: Supporting Change”. This DVD is free to family/unpaid carers in the UK. To order it you can download the Challenging Behaviour Foundation resource order form from: http://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/information/resource-order-form.html.