PBS Principles
4.1 All behaviour happens for a reason, including behaviours that challenge. It is crucial to understand the reason for behaviours that challenge so that these can be addressed. Without doing so there can be harm to:
- The person themselves as the behaviours themselves are likely to be distressing, so impacting quality of life, potentially resulting in physical injury and additional disability, breakdown of care, increased risk of exclusion, deprivation, systematic neglect and abuse, and exposure to ineffective interventions
- Carers due to heightened stress, carer burnout, increased emotional and physical health issues and potential to inadvertently become the source of safeguarding risk to the person
4.2 While the application and process of how we effectively support people who have behavioural support needs differs, we always work towards these guiding principles:
- Improve Quality of life
We recognise that some behaviours will impact on the person’s quality of life and may result in unwanted and potential harmful implications, such as changes to provision of care. Any intervention will be designed to promote social inclusion and support people to achieve their full potential
- Be person centred
We will work to understand an individual’s specific circumstances, protected characteristics, experiences, their wider environments and needs. This will be the centre of all we do. We will make reasonable adjustments in line with our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act 2014 to overcome barriers to involvement
- Be productive
Focus on creating a social environment which is capable of meeting people’s needs in a way that is meaningful
- Be evidence based
All our interventions will be based on a thorough assessment specific to a person’s needs and their behaviours
- Be collaborative
We will work together with the person, family, friends and carers as well as specialist services and organisations to develop long-term focused plans
- Be recovery focused & trauma informed
We will aim to support the person in a meaningful way – fostering the development of new skills and stimulating new interests. To promote positive relationships, we will develop congruence by listening and acknowledging a person’s history, aiming to understand how their past influences their present to create a safe environment for all
- Encompass the principal of least restrictive practice
We will not intervene unless necessary
- Minimise harm
To reduce the risk of harm to the person or the people around them without punishing them – including when restrictive strategies may be used
PBS Model
4.3 The PBS model pyramid shows how PBS implements a range of support, starting with broad strategies (primary prevention) that benefit everyone and progressing to more targeted and individualized interventions (secondary prevention and reactive strategies) as needed.
4.4 For more information on the PBS Model please contact our Positive Behavioural Support Service at PBSS@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
