If you support a person with disability who sometimes shows behaviours of concern, you may have heard about a behaviour support plan. A positive behaviour support plan is a written, personalised guide that helps the person, their family and their support team respond in a consistent, respectful way. It is built around understanding why a behaviour happens, rather than only reacting when it happens.
This guide explains what a positive behaviour support plan is, the difference between interim and comprehensive plans, what a plan usually contains, who writes it, and how it is put into practice and reviewed. If you are new to this area, it will also help you know what questions to ask and what to expect.
What is a behaviour support plan?
A behaviour support plan is a practical document that describes a person, their strengths and needs, the behaviours that may cause concern, and the strategies that help them. The aim is to improve quality of life, increase independence and reduce the need for restrictive practices. A good plan does not focus only on problems. It also describes what helps the person feel safe, understood and able to participate in everyday life.
In the NDIS, a behaviour support plan is usually developed when behaviour support is included in a participant’s plan. The plan is used by the people who support the participant day to day, including family members, carers and support workers. When everyone follows the same strategies, support becomes more predictable for the person, which can itself reduce distress.
A behaviour support plan NDIS participants receive should be individual. Two people may show similar behaviour, but the reasons behind it, and the strategies that help, can be very different. That is why assessment comes before the plan, and why the person and the people who know them well should be involved in developing it.
Interim vs comprehensive behaviour support plans
There are two main types of behaviour support plan, and the difference is mainly about timing and depth of assessment.
Interim behaviour support plan. An interim plan is developed more quickly, often when a person needs support soon and a full assessment has not yet been completed. It includes strategies to keep the person and others safe while assessment continues, and it focuses on the most important immediate needs. An interim plan is a starting point, not a final document.
Comprehensive behaviour support plan. A comprehensive plan follows a functional behaviour assessment. This is a detailed assessment that looks at when behaviours occur, what happens before and after them, and what the person may be communicating or trying to achieve. The comprehensive plan draws on that evidence to set out longer-term proactive strategies, skill teaching and response strategies, and any regulated restrictive practices that are required and authorised.
In practice, an interim plan may be put in place first and then replaced by a comprehensive plan once assessment is complete. Both types should be reviewed, and neither should be left unchanged if the person’s needs, health or living situation changes.
What goes into a behaviour support plan?
While every plan is different, a comprehensive behaviour support plan commonly covers the following areas.
- Understanding the person and their needs. This includes the person’s strengths, interests, communication style, health needs, routines and goals. It also describes triggers and situations that can make behaviours more likely, so support can be adjusted before difficulties arise.
- Proactive strategies. These are everyday strategies that help prevent behaviours of concern. They may include changes to routines, the environment or communication, clearer expectations, and opportunities for choice, rest and meaningful activity.
- Teaching new skills. A plan often sets out skills the person can learn as alternatives to behaviours of concern. This may include communication skills, coping strategies, social skills and everyday living skills, taught in small, achievable steps.
- How to respond when behaviours occur. This section gives clear, calm and consistent guidance for support workers and family members. It explains what to do, what to avoid, and how to help the person regain a sense of safety after an incident.
- Regulated restrictive practices. Where a restrictive practice is used, it must be included in the plan only where it is authorised and meets NDIS requirements. The plan should describe the practice, when it may be used, how it is monitored, and how its use will be reduced over time. Restrictive practices are not a first response, and they should never replace positive, proactive support.
Together, these sections give a support team a shared understanding of the person and a clear way of working. A plan that is too vague, or that is not shared with everyone involved, is unlikely to be helpful in everyday situations.
Who writes the plan?
A behaviour support plan is written by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner. The practitioner carries out the assessment, works with the participant and their support network, and writes strategies that fit the person’s everyday life. You can learn more about this role in our guide to what a positive behaviour support practitioner does.
The practitioner should also explain the plan in plain language, so that everyone who uses it understands their part. If a strategy is unclear, or does not work in a particular setting, that feedback is important. A plan should be a working document, not something that sits in a folder.
How the plan is implemented and reviewed
Implementation begins with sharing the plan with everyone involved and, where needed, training them in the strategies it contains. Support workers and family members need time to practise new approaches, ask questions and agree on how they will respond consistently. Consistency matters, because mixed responses can be confusing for the person receiving support.
Progress is then monitored over time. This may involve noting how often behaviours occur, what strategies were used, and whether the person is meeting goals that matter to them, such as participating in community activities, learning a new skill or feeling calmer at home. Monitoring is not about judging the person. It is about learning what is working and what needs to change.
Review is a regular part of positive behaviour support. A plan should be reviewed when goals change, when a new setting or support team is involved, when health needs change, or when strategies are no longer effective. Reviews also provide an opportunity to reduce any restrictive practices and to celebrate progress, including small gains that make everyday life easier.
Getting a plan with Iconic Care Group in Campbelltown
If you are in Campbelltown and would like to explore behaviour support, the first step is to contact Iconic Care Group and discuss your situation. The team can talk through your NDIS plan, the type of support you are seeking, and the next steps, including assessment and support planning. Bringing information about current routines, triggers and strategies that already help can make that first conversation more useful.
A behaviour support plan works best when it reflects the person at its centre. With clear strategies, consistent support and regular review, it can help a person build skills, feel more understood and take part more fully in the life they want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need NDIS funding for behaviour support to get a behaviour support plan?
Behaviour support plans are commonly developed where behaviour support is funded in an NDIS plan. If you are unsure whether your plan includes this support, review your plan with your support coordinator or plan manager, or contact the team to discuss your situation.
How often should a behaviour support plan be reviewed?
A plan should be reviewed regularly and whenever needs change. This includes changes in health, living arrangements, schooling or work, support workers, or the effectiveness of current strategies. Regular review helps keep the plan relevant and focused on the person’s current goals.
What happens if behaviours change after the plan is written?
Changes are expected over time, and the plan should change with them. Tell the behaviour support practitioner what has changed, what is working and what is not. The practitioner can update strategies, arrange further assessment if needed, and share the updated plan with the support team.
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