Positive Behaviour Support Questions: Training, Supervision and Becoming a BSP
Clear answers to the questions people ask most about positive behaviour support training, clinical supervision and becoming an NDIS behaviour support practitioner in Australia.
The 10 most asked questions
- What is positive behaviour support?
- What is positive behaviour support training, and where can I do it in Australia?
- How do I become a behaviour support practitioner in Australia?
- What qualifications do I need to be a behaviour support practitioner? Can I do it without a degree?
- What is NDIS behaviour support practitioner suitability?
- What is the PBS Capability Framework?
- What is clinical supervision for behaviour support practitioners, and do I need it?
- What is a behaviour support plan?
- What are regulated restrictive practices?
- How much does a behaviour support practitioner earn?
What is positive behaviour support?
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an evidence-based, person-centred approach that looks at the reasons behind a person's behaviour and uses strategies that meet their needs. The aim is a better quality of life for the person, with less need for restrictive practices.
In the NDIS, PBS is delivered by NDIS behaviour support practitioners. They assess why behaviours of concern happen, work with the person, their family and support team, and write a behaviour support plan with practical strategies everyone can use.
PBS focuses on skills, communication, relationships and the environment around the person, rather than punishment. It respects the person's dignity and rights.
What is positive behaviour support training, and where can I do it in Australia?
Positive behaviour support training teaches the knowledge and practical skills behind PBS: functional behaviour assessment, writing behaviour support plans, reducing restrictive practices and working within the NDIS rules. ConnectFirst™ delivers PBS training 100% online, so you can join from anywhere in Australia.
Good PBS training is built around the NDIS Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework and includes supervised practice, not just self-paced modules. ConnectFirst™ offers the Six-Week BSP Intensive, short professional development courses, and the Training Platform at learn.connectfirst.com.au, all led by Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioners.
Training helps you build capability and evidence for an NDIS suitability application. Completing a course does not, on its own, make you an NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
How do I become a behaviour support practitioner in Australia?
To become an NDIS behaviour support practitioner, you apply to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which assesses your suitability against the PBS Capability Framework. Most applicants have a relevant degree, experience with people with disability, PBS training and regular clinical supervision.
A typical pathway is: check your qualifications, complete practical PBS training, build a portfolio of work with supervision from a proficient-level or above practitioner, then submit your suitability application. You also need an NDIS Worker Screening Check.
New entry-level practitioners are expected to have a supervision agreement with a proficient-level or above practitioner and take part in regular supervision. ConnectFirst™ provides the training, supervision and portfolio guidance for each of these steps.
What qualifications do I need to be a behaviour support practitioner? Can I do it without a degree?
The NDIS Commission considers a relevant qualification to be a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher in a relevant field, such as education, psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nursing, social work, behavioural science or Positive Behaviour Support. It may also consider other qualifications that align with the PBS Capability Framework.
If you don't have a degree in one of the listed fields, the Commission looks at how your qualifications, experience and evidence demonstrate the knowledge and skills in the Capability Framework. The Commission makes the final decision.
Fill out our application form and, if you have the suitable qualifications and experience, we'll be in touch to organise a qualifying call back.
What is NDIS behaviour support practitioner suitability?
Suitability is the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission's decision that you have the qualifications, experience and capability to work as an NDIS behaviour support practitioner. Only the Commission decides suitability.
The Commission assesses your application against the PBS Capability Framework. You show evidence such as qualifications, work examples and supervision arrangements. Once found suitable, you can develop behaviour support plans through a registered specialist behaviour support provider.
Training and supervision help you prepare strong evidence. No training provider can promise a suitability outcome.
What is the PBS Capability Framework?
The Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework is the NDIS Commission's description of the knowledge, skills and capabilities behaviour support practitioners need. It describes four levels of practice: core, proficient, advanced and specialist.
The framework covers areas such as PBS values and theory, functional behaviour assessment, developing and implementing behaviour support plans, reducing restrictive practices, and working with the person and their supports. The Commission uses it when assessing suitability.
ConnectFirst™ training and supervision is mapped to the framework, so the work you do with us builds evidence for your application.
What is clinical supervision for behaviour support practitioners, and do I need it?
Clinical supervision is regular, reflective support from a more experienced practitioner to review your cases, behaviour support plans and decisions. New entry-level practitioners are expected to have a supervision agreement with a proficient-level or above practitioner and take part in regular supervision.
Supervision improves the quality and safety of behaviour support, helps you meet the expectations of the PBS Capability Framework and builds evidence for your suitability application. Experienced practitioners also use supervision for complex cases and plan review.
ConnectFirst™ offers 1:1 and group clinical supervision online with Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioners across Australia.
What is a behaviour support plan?
A behaviour support plan is a written plan, developed by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner, that describes positive strategies to support a person and reduce behaviours of concern. Where regulated restrictive practices are used, the NDIS rules require an interim and a comprehensive plan.
The NDIS Commission states that an interim plan must be developed within one month after the provider is engaged, and a comprehensive plan within 6 months. A comprehensive plan is based on a behaviour assessment, including a functional behavioural assessment, and must be reviewed when circumstances change or at least every 12 months.
A good plan is written with the person, their family and support team, and gives everyone clear, practical strategies.
What are regulated restrictive practices?
Regulated restrictive practices are practices that restrict a person's rights or freedom of movement. Under the NDIS rules there are five types: seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint and environmental restraint.
Restrictive practices should only be used as a last resort, in response to risk of harm, and must be included in a behaviour support plan. They also need any authorisation required in the relevant state or territory, and the aim is always to reduce and eliminate them over time.
Implementing providers must report the use of regulated restrictive practices to the NDIS Commission.
How much does a behaviour support practitioner earn?
Pay for behaviour support practitioners varies with experience, location, practitioner level and employment type. At ConnectFirst™, practitioners found suitable by the NDIS Commission can expect independent contractor rates of $90 to $150 per hour, working under their own ABN, subject to demand.
Rates depend on suitability, demand and the work available in your area, so pay and work are never guaranteed. Our BSP Internship lets selected applicants train while staying in their current job, or work as an Allied Health Assistant with us while we train them.
Explore our careers page and internship to see the pathway into paid behaviour support work.
Still have a question?
Call 1800 246 808, email support@connectfirst.com.au, or use the Questions? Ask us button. Fill out our application form and, if you have the suitable qualifications and experience, we'll be in touch to organise a qualifying call back.
