About positive behaviour support

A document showing a person supporting someone and an information icon.

In this bulletin we want to share information from research about positive behaviour support.

3 people. One person is raising their hand beneath a speech bubble.

Positive behaviour support is about helping:

  • people who need supports
  • and
  • the people around them.

2 people having a conversation beneath a thumbs up.

Positive behaviour support works best when everyone:

  • listens to what you want and need
  • works together.

The number 12 with 3 separate arrows pointing to the numbers 1, 2 and 3.

There are 12 ideas about the best way to use positive behaviour support.

And researchers split them into 3 areas.

A document showing the number 'One' and a list.

In each bulletin we explain one idea in more detail.

We also explain which area it comes from.

This bulletin explains the first idea.

What idea does this bulletin look into?

A person giving 2 thumbs up and a set of justice scales.

Positive behaviour support is about:

  • protecting the rights of people with disability
  • supporting them to live a good life.

This area includes 4 ideas:

The number 'One' and a person raising their hand.

1.  Focusing on each person and what they want 

The number '2' and a choices icon. The icon shows a hand choosing between 3 options.

2. Understanding:

  • how the things around a person affect them
  • a person’s right to make their own decisions

The number '3' and a person supporting someone.

3. Working together and supporting people

The number '4' and 3 icons. The icons are a stop sign, a person in restraints and a locked padlock.

4. Stopping harmful restrictive practices

A document showing the number 'One' and a list.

In this bulletin we are looking into the first idea:

 Focusing on each person and what they want 

A person pointing at themselves and raising a hand.

This means it’s important for support to:

  • get to know you
  • understand what you need
  • know what supports you use.

3 people in front of an icon of the world.

This includes supporting what people from different backgrounds need.

A family of 2 parents and their 2 kids.

It’s also important to include you and the people close to you, like your family or friends.

A provider helping someone read a document.

And it’s important to work together to understand what you need.

A person raising their hand beneath a speech bubble.

This type of support should also think about:

  • your goals
  • what you want and need
  • your skills.

A provider supporting someone beneath a thought bubble.

It’s important for providers to use supports to help understand your goals.

And to support you to make your own decisions.

A person smiling and giving a thumbs up.

This type of support focuses on improving the quality of life for everyone by using:

  • your strengths
  • the strengths of the people around you.

What questions can providers think about?

A question mark in a thought bubble.

Providers should make sure their supports focus on what you need.

They can start by thinking about the following questions.

A location icon and a calendar.

What’s the best way to meet your needs?

This might include where and when it’ll happen.

And who will be there.

2 people having a conversation beneath a speech bubble.

Who knows you best?

Could it help to talk to this person first?

A person next to a question mark.

Who do you want to be involved in the support?

A person supporting someone else and a question mark.

What other supports might they need to work with you?

A computer.

Do they need technology to support you?

One person having a conversation with 2 other people.

Do they need someone else there to help understand what you want?

A person raising their hand beneath a question mark in a speech bubble.

What might they need to know about your life to best support you?

For example, what’s important to you or what you believe.

A person raising their hand beneath a thumbs up in a speech bubble.

What do you want and need?

What are your strengths?