Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a ‘person centred framework’ for providing long-term support to children and adults with learning disabilities, autism, or dementia, who have, or may be at the risk of displaying distressing behaviours. PBS helps adult social care professionals, including managers understand the reason for the behaviour so they can better meet people’s needs, enhance their quality of life, and reduce the likelihood that the behaviour will happen.

The bild have created a short introductory video about PBS. Watch it here.

There are 4 main reasons someone may start to present behaviour which challenges:

1. Attention – could be positive or negative.
2. Escape – they are trying to avoid something.
3. Sensory stimulation – they like the feeling of the behaviour.
4. Tangibles – they desire a social reaction.

Positive Behaviour Support framework

The framework is divided into three main areas, each of which details specific competencies that need to be achieved to deliver effective support. These are:

All the competencies listed are necessary for the person being supported. However, not all competencies will need to be demonstrated by every individual involved in the provision of care. While there are certain core competencies which will be applicable to everyone, there are also specialist competencies which will be the focus of experts within that area.

For this reason, the framework details three levels of competencies by function which can be identified in the diagram below.

» Click here to view full details about the framework.

HCC have advice, research and resources relating to Positive Behavioural Support for professionals, citizens and individuals, providers, families, and carers on their website.

» Visit the HCC PBS website link here.

Training should be certified by the Restraint Reduction Network

From April 2021, it is expected to see all services across Health and Social Care use training in restrictive practices that is certified as complying with the Restraint Reduction Network Standards. The standards apply to all training that has a restrictive intervention component and provides a benchmark for training in supporting people who are distressed in education, health and social care settings. The standards apply across child and adult services, and to all populations, including people using services with mental health conditions, those living with dementia, people with a learning disability and autistic people.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, CQC acknowledge that the face-to-face training required to comply with these standards is not always possible. However, since April 2020 any training provider that wants to supply training should be certified by the Restraint Reduction Network. CQC expect providers of services to commission training accordingly.

CQC have published the final report in their review of restraint, seclusion and segregation.

This report describes what they found about the experiences of care for children, young people and adults who are subject to restrictive practices.

» Click here to read and find out more