Behavioural support plans

6.1   A bespoke, proportionate behavioural support plan will be developed from the findings of a functional assessment and by working with the adult, their family, friends, carers. 

6.2   Other specialist services, teams and professionals (including health professionals) may be included in writing the plan if this will support the adult. 

6.3   We will assume the individual has the requisite mental capacity to participate in their support planning and their views and wants will be integral to their planned interventions. When the individual has been assessed as lacking the requisite mental capacity, the behavioural support plan will be created in their Best Interests under the Mental Capacity Act. 

 6.4   The plan must outline proactive strategies. There may be times when the proactive strategies do not work, therefore the plan must also explain how to manage reactive situations well. 

6.5   When writing the support plans, we look at: 

• “Appearance” - what the behaviour looks like; what the person did
• “Frequency” - how often the behaviour occurs
• “Severity” - how severe the impact of the behaviour is
• “Duration” - how long the behaviour lasts
• Function of the behaviour
• Strategies to help the person

6.6   In addition to the above, all behavioural support plans must specify: 

• The behaviours that the plan is intended to prevent or manage
• Any known triggers or factors that maintain the behaviour(s)
• The reason the person uses the behaviour (its function) where this is known
• Agreed primary and secondary preventative measures
• The best way to support and calm the adult after a behavioural incident 

6.7   Behavioural Support Plans aim to support the person to have: 

• A Community Presence: The right to take part in community life and to live and spend leisure time with other members of the community
• Valued Relationships: The right to engage in meaningful and fulfilling relationships
• Choice: The right to make choices, both large and small, in one’s life. These include choices about where to live and with whom to live
• Competence: The right to learn new skills and participate in meaningful activities with whatever assistance is required
• Respect: The right to be valued and treated with dignity

6.8   To ensure we continue to support in the most effective way, we will review and update the behavioural support plan with the person, their family, friends, carers, and other professionals at least once a year. 

6.9   We will also review the plan whenever: 

• It appears that the plan is not working  
• There has been a significant incident or near miss  
• The person’s behaviours or situation have changed