Becoming a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner is a rewarding career that allows you to make a meaningful impact on individuals with behaviours of concern. At Ability Action Australia, we’re always on the lookout for both aspiring and experienced Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners. If you’re interested and looking for a fantastic new opportunity, we do encourage you to get in touch with our dedicated team to learn more about our Positive Behaviour Support roles.
What is a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner?
A Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner is a dedicated professional who works closely with NDIS participants of all ages who are displaying behaviours of concern. Our practitioners develop tailored support plans that focus on understanding the reasons behind behaviours, and then implementing proactive approaches to promote positive change and encourage more desirable behaviours.
What does a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner do?
The role involves using evidence-based strategies to improve quality of life and promote positive change. The work involves close collaboration with individuals, their families, and other support networks, aiming to create a supportive and empowering environment. Positive Behaviour Support can involve:
Assessment and Planning:
Practitioners conduct detailed assessments to gather insights from the person, their family, and support network, and identify the reasons behind behaviours. Based on these findings, they’ll create personalised support plans including proactive strategies and interventions aimed at promoting more appropriate behaviours.
Strategy Development:
Strategy development is all about creating effective, person-centred approaches to encourage appropriate behaviours and reduce concerning behaviours. Practitioners identify specific goals, develop proactive interventions, and implement techniques that reinforce appropriate behaviours.
Implementation and Monitoring:
Implementation and monitoring involves putting carefully crafted strategies into action and ensuring they are effective. Practitioners regularly review and adjust the support plans based on feedback and observed outcomes. This ongoing process ensures strategies remain effective and responsive to the participant’s evolving needs.
Training and Support:
Training and support involves equipping participants, their families, and support networks with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively implement positive behaviour strategies. This may include training and ongoing guidance, ensuring everyone involved understands the principles and techniques for creating a consistent, positive environment.
What can a Positive Behaviour Support practitioner assist with?
Understanding Behaviours:
By understanding the reasons for behaviours of concern, Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners develop tailored positive behaviour support strategies in order to remove the things that trigger, encourage or reward behaviours of concern, and promote alternative and more appropriate behaviours.
Skill Development:
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners are dedicated to helping participants with social skill development. They work on enhancing communication, social interactions, essential life and daily living skills, empowering individuals to become more independent and confident.
Environment:
A Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner can make your environment more supportive by suggesting changes to daily routines, communication systems or your physical environment. This can promote alternative and more appropriate behaviour.
Quality of Life:
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners are committed to enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals they support.
How to become a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
There are many pathways to becoming a Behaviour Support Practitioner working in an NDIS community model.
Formal Education:
Many Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners in Australia have a background in psychology, social work, education, or a related field. Enrolling in relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programs can provide the foundational knowledge needed for this role.
Work Experience:
Another common pathway to becoming a Behaviour Support Practitioner is through gaining extensive work experience in the disability sector. This hands-on approach not only provides practical skills and knowledge but also fosters an understanding of participant needs.
Career Growth Support:
At Ability Action Australia, we are dedicated to delivering effective services and fostering the careers of our Behaviour Support Practitioners. The Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework established by the NDIS Commission, not only sets high standards for our practice but also provides a structured pathway for career progression. Our comprehensive support system includes valuable training, resources, guidance, and feedback, empowering practitioners to develop their skills, achieve formal recognition, and advance through the capability levels, from Core to Specialist.
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner Salary
As a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, you can expect a competitive salary that reflects your skills and dedication. Ability Action Australia offers additional benefits to make your career even more rewarding. including a car allowance, laptop, and smartphone to ensure you have everything you need while on the move. Additionally, our Salary Packaging options help you make the most of your pre-tax dollars, giving you access to a range of financial benefits.
Skills to be a great Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner:
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners need to possess a particular set of skills:
Communication Skills
- Essential for developing and implementing effective plans for addressing behaviours of concern.
- Active listening, being attentive and fully engaged when individuals express themselves.
- To collaborate with other educators, therapists, and family members enhances the overall support system for the individual.
Analytical Skills
- Our practitioners carry out a variety of assessments and interventions, including collecting, analysing, and interpreting data on behaviours of concern.
- Creating tailored Interim and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans, along with Functional Behaviour Assessment Reports and Progress Reports informed by evidence-based strategies.
Patience and Empathy
- Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners need to have exceptional patience and empathy to effectively support participants with behaviours of concern.
- Empathy allows practitioners to truly understand and connect with participants, putting themselves in their shoes to build rapport and trust.
- Patience is equally important, as practitioners often encounter challenging situations that require a thoughtful and calm approach.
- This combination of patience and empathy ensures that individuals feel valued and supported.
Problem Solving
- Involves being adept at analysing situations to identify the underlying triggers of behaviours of concern.
- Good problem-solving skills enable practitioners to think creatively and adaptively, ensuring that they can find the best solutions for complex situations.
Become a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner with Ability Action Australia today
Being a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner means making a real difference in people’s lives, helping them achieve their full potential and lead happier, more fulfilling lives. If you’re passionate about helping others, get in touch with us for a fulfilling career.
