At Civic, we believe you deserve to live a life of dignity, connection and joy. For many NDIS participants, Behaviour Support is a vital therapeutic tool that helps unlock potential. It is about understanding your unique needs and creating a supportive environment where you can thrive.
What is Behaviour Support?
Behaviour Support focuses on evidence-based, person-centred strategies tailored to your unique needs. Rather than focusing on ‘challenging’ actions, we look at how you interact with your environment. These actions are often a form of communication that may occur when your needs aren’t being met or when you face barriers to participating in everday life. Behaviour Support looks past the action itself to find the reasoning behind it, whether that be a need for better communication, sensory processing adjustments or environmental changes.
We recognise this requires a collaborative approach involving your entire support system, including family, carers and other healthcare professionals. Finding the right strategies is often a process of trial and error; by working together and refining our approach, we ensure the support is truly tailored and effective for your unique life.
How is Behaviour Support Funded by the NDIS?
In your NDIS plan, Behaviour Support is funded under the Capacity Building budget, specifically within the Improved Relationships category.
Funding is typically split into two sub-categories that work together:
- Specialist Behaviour Intervention Support: This is used to gather information, conduct assessments and develop an evidence-based Behaviour Support Plan (BSP).
- Behaviour Management Plan: This funding is dedicated to training your support team and family on how to implement the plan effectively and monitor its success.
The Role of a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
A Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) is a specialist who works as a ‘detective’ for your well-being. Their goal is to improve your quality of life by understanding your needs and working with you and your support team to create a safe and inclusive environment. Our Practitioners help by:
- Facilitating Collaboration: Acting as a bridge between you and your multiple support systems to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.
- Conducting Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBA): To understand exactly why certain responses or actions are happening.
- Developing & Refining Plans: Creating a roadmap and adjusting strategies through trial and error until the best fit for you is found.
- Skill Building: Teaching new ways to communicate or manage stress that respect and support you and your support teams
- Team Coaching: Training your family, carers and support workers so everyone is on the same page.
- Upholding Rights: Ensuring your dignity is always the priority and that any restrictive practices are reduced or eliminated.
Who can provide Behaviour Support?
Because this is a highly specialised field, you can only use your NDIS funding with Registered NDIS Providers. This ensures that the provider meets the strict safety and quality standards set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
A registered provider must:
- Meet the NDIS Practice Standards (2018).
- Be specifically registered for Specialist Behaviour Support.
- Employ practitioners who have been vetted and deemed suitable by the NDIS Commission.
Why is the role of a Behaviour Support Practitioner important?
Choosing the right practitioner is a significant step. They are the bridge between understanding you and finding a solution that works for your environment. A great practitioner doesn’t just write a report; they build a relationship with you and your support network to ensure the strategies actually work in real-life situations.
Take the next step with Civic
We have immediate capacity for Behaviour Support and currently no waitlist. Our registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners are dedicated to creating person-centred strategies that work for you and your support network.
Complete a referral form to apply today or contact the Customer Experience Team on 1300MYCIVIC (1300 692 484) or enquiries@civic.org.au.
