2.1. Describe positive behaviour support

This guide will help you answer 2.1. Describe positive behaviour support.

Positive Behaviour Support, often called PBS, is a person-centred approach to supporting individuals who may display behaviours that challenge. The focus is to improve quality of life, not just to reduce challenging behaviour. PBS looks at what the person needs, what they enjoy and how they interact with others. It is widely used in UK health and social care to support people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.

The approach works by understanding why a behaviour happens and then putting in place strategies to meet the person’s needs in better ways. Challenging behaviour is often a form of communication. When a person cannot express themselves through words or other means, they might act in a way that others find difficult. PBS recognises this and aims to replace behaviour that challenges with alternative skills that will help the person to communicate more effectively.

Principles of Positive Behaviour Support

PBS is built on some clear and practical principles:

• Person-centred planning – support is based on each person’s unique preferences, strengths and needs.
• Focus on quality of life – the aim is to help the person live a valued and fulfilling life, not just to control behaviour.
• Understanding behaviour – behaviours are messages and happen for a reason.
• Prevention and proactive strategies – staff work to create supportive environments that meet the person’s needs before problems arise.
• Skill development – helping the person to learn new skills to replace challenging behaviour.
• Long-term commitment – PBS is ongoing and focuses on positive change over time.

PBS does not rely on punishment. It promotes positive reinforcement and supportive environments.

How to Understand Behaviour

To support a person through PBS, you first need to understand what their behaviour means. Workers are encouraged to think about:

• What happens before the behaviour
• What the behaviour looks like
• What happens after the behaviour

This is often called the ABC approach:

• A – Antecedent: what happens right before the behaviour.
• B – Behaviour: the behaviour itself.
• C – Consequence: what happens after the behaviour.

By looking closely at these stages, it becomes clearer why the behaviour happened. For example, a person might shout when asked to do a task because they feel anxious. If shouting results in the task being removed, the shouting is rewarded unintentionally, and it may keep happening.

Proactive Strategies

Proactive strategies aim to prevent behaviours that challenge by supporting the person before problems start. Examples include:

• Making sure the person’s environment is calm and comfortable
• Providing choice and control
• Offering meaningful daily activities
• Supporting communication needs
• Reducing triggers such as loud noise or crowded spaces
• Ensuring that the person’s health needs are met

By addressing these factors, challenging behaviour becomes less likely. Proactive work is a key part of PBS and can reduce stress for both the person and the staff.

Teaching New Skills

PBS teaches the person alternative ways to get what they need. This might involve:

• Communication skills such as signing, using pictures or technology
• Social skills such as asking for help
• Ways to relax and manage emotions
• Practical skills for daily living

Teaching these skills can give the person safer and more acceptable ways to meet the same needs that previously led to challenging behaviour.

Reactive Strategies

Reactive strategies are used when challenging behaviour happens, to keep everyone safe. They are not the main focus of PBS but may be necessary in some situations. Examples include:

• Staying calm and speaking in a low, steady voice
• Moving other people to safety if needed
• Using agreed distraction techniques
• Following agreed incident management plans

Any reactive strategy should be the least restrictive option and should never cause harm. Workers must follow organisational policies and only use restrictive practices, such as physical intervention, if legally authorised and properly trained.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement means recognising and rewarding positive behaviours so they are more likely to happen again. This can be:

• Verbal praise
• A favourite activity or treat
• Extra time with something the person enjoys

It is important to reward the behaviour immediately so the link is clear. For example, if a person calmly asks for help instead of shouting, responding quickly reinforces that using words is a good way to communicate.

Involving the Person

Positive Behaviour Support is most effective when the person is actively involved in planning their own support. This might include:

• Talking about what they want in life
• Discussing their likes, dislikes and goals
• Involving them in decisions about changes to their routine or environment

If the person cannot communicate verbally, use other ways such as symbols, pictures, gestures or involvement of family and friends who know them best.

Involving Families and Carers

Families and carers can offer valuable insights into the person’s history, preferences and behaviour patterns. Involving them can help create a more effective support plan. This may include:

• Attending meetings
• Sharing successful strategies
• Helping gather information about what triggers certain behaviours

Working in partnership ensures consistency and helps the person feel supported across all areas of life.

Recording and Reviewing

PBS plans are not static. They should be reviewed regularly to make sure they are still meeting the person’s needs. Recording incidents and progress is essential. Accurate records should cover:

• What happened before, during and after an incident
• The strategies used and their outcomes
• Any changes in the person’s behaviour or circumstances

Reviewing this information helps staff see patterns and make informed changes to the support plan.

Ethics and Rights

Positive Behaviour Support must always respect the person’s rights. This means:

• Respecting privacy and dignity
• Supporting choice and independence
• Using any form of restraint only as a last resort
• Following the law and best practice guidance

Behaviour that challenges should never be seen as a reason to ignore a person’s human rights. The aim is to improve life and opportunities, not control or punish.

The Role of the Worker

As a worker, your role in PBS includes:

• Observing and understanding behaviour
• Applying proactive and reactive strategies
• Teaching and modelling positive behaviours
• Building trust and positive relationships
• Recording and reviewing information
• Supporting inclusion and social participation

You need to be consistent. Changing approaches frequently can make the person confused or anxious.

Benefits of Positive Behaviour Support

When PBS is used well, benefits can include:

• Reduced frequency and severity of challenging behaviours
• Improved communication skills
• Increased independence
• Better relationships with staff, family and peers
• More opportunities for community participation
• Greater confidence for the person being supported

The benefits extend to staff and other people in the environment by creating a calmer, more supportive atmosphere.

Challenges in Implementing PBS

PBS takes time and commitment. Some challenges may include:

• Staff needing extra training
• Resistance to change from some team members
• Lack of consistency between staff
• Managing complex needs
• Maintaining patience and persistence

These challenges can be reduced by good leadership, ongoing training and strong communication between staff, individuals and families.

Legal and Policy Context in the UK

PBS in the UK is linked to key policies and laws such as:

• The Care Act 2014
• The Children and Families Act 2014
• The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• The Equality Act 2010
• The Human Rights Act 1998

Using PBS helps meet legal duties around supporting individuals in a way that promotes dignity, choice and control.

Monitoring Progress

Progress in PBS should be monitored through:

• Regular reviews of support plans
• Comparing behaviour records over time
• Feedback from the person, family and staff
• Checking whether goals are being met

Monitoring ensures strategies are working and allows for adjustments where needed.

Creating Supportive Environments

The environment plays a big part in behaviour. A supportive environment in PBS may include:

• Comfortable and personal space
• Predictable routines to reduce anxiety
• Positive social interactions
• Access to preferred activities
• Flexibility when needed

Small changes, such as allowing quiet time or offering sensory activities, can make a big difference.

Communication in PBS

Many behaviours that challenge happen because the person cannot communicate their needs. PBS emphasises improving communication through:

• Speech therapy
• Symbols and pictures
• Communication devices
• Sign language
• Consistent use of agreed communication methods

Supporting communication can reduce frustration and open the door to more positive interactions.

Staff Training and Development

PBS works best when staff are trained and confident in using the approach. Training might cover:

• Understanding behaviour
• Using the ABC model
• Communication methods
• Positive reinforcement
• De-escalation and safety skills

Ongoing support and refresher training help maintain good practice.

Final Thoughts

Positive Behaviour Support is more than just a set of strategies. It is a way of thinking about behaviour that focuses on dignity, respect and opportunity. It works to see past the behaviour and find the person. By meeting needs in positive ways, PBS can transform daily life for individuals and those around them.

It requires patience, consistency and teamwork. The rewards are significant: improved quality of life, stronger relationships, and a more inclusive community. In health and social care, PBS is a proven and humane way to respond to behaviour that challenges, always putting the person at the centre of their own support.