Improving Quality of Life Through NDIS Behaviour Support

Quality of life is such an important element to the general wellbeing of everyone. For people with disabilities, this is only possible through access to the right kind of support services that make life meaningful. Indeed, in Australia, one would note the immense support for such through the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which plays a crucial role through the provision of NDIS Behaviour Support services. These services strive towards offering support to persons with challenging behaviours based on offering people the positive, person-centred approaches that lead to long-term improvements. 

In this blog, we will discuss just how Behaviour Support enables the improvement of life of the participants, how you can access this service and what benefits you will get from it. And finally, we will lead you to choose the right registered provider and understand the primary role played by positive behaviour support in enhancing daily living experiences. 

What is NDIS Behaviour Support? 

The NDIS Behaviour Support aims to enhance the quality of life through managing and reducing challenging behaviours, which allows for strategies for positive outcomes in support. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is widely applied in this regard, where person-centred approach seeks to understand challenging behaviours. Here the interest is not just in modifying the behaviour, but one seeks to modify the way a person communicates, their environment, and the conditions within which they are placed aids them. 

The principle of behaviour support services is to reduce or eliminate restrictive practices. Restrictive practices are those that reduce a person’s movement or choices. They are to be used only in exceptional circumstances and subjected strictly to conditions. A registered service provider who is an expert in behaviour support can even devise specific behaviour support plans that will maintain safety, well-being, and personal growth on the part of the participant. 

Key features of a NDIS behaviour support plan include: 

Functional behavioural assessment: These specify causes behind challenging behaviours, thus enabling intervention on the needs behind them. 

Individualised strategies: These are developed collectively with participants and their support teams to help create meaningful change and diminish reliance on restrictive practices. 

Skill-building and empowerment: Plans often include the teaching of skills that promote positive behaviours and independence. 

Positive Behaviour Support: A Holistic Approach 

Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an evidence-based practice that is person-centred towards improving quality of life while minimising behaviours of concern. It takes a proactive approach with an understanding of the cause of challenging behaviours and modifies them using supportive interventions rather than punitive measures.  

The aim is to teach meaningful life skills, strengthen social bonds, and empower participants in productive participation within their communities. It helps develop practical strategies with consideration for respect and focusing on positive reinforcement-a set of tools that can be used daily to empower individuals.  

Importance of Positive Behaviour Support for NDIS Participants  

What makes the Positive Behaviour Support model crucial? This support model enhances behaviours in supportive and non-restrictive ways. It is not a punitive procedure with negative consequences but a positive reinforcement-proactive intervention model. Such a process would indeed involve understanding the context for the expression of challenging behaviours and addressing real needs or desires the person may be trying to pursue. 

For instance, the frustration due to communication barriers may be one reason for challenging behaviour. It is then that a Positive Behaviour Support practitioner will work along with the individual and their own support network to devise alternative methods of communication, thereby developing a more supporting environment around them, reducing frustration, and encouraging positive interaction. 

Therefore, this model addresses not only the behavioural problems but also contributes to enhancing the self-esteem of participants, socialisation, and independence. As a result, the participants can enjoy a better quality of life in the best possible relations within their communities with lower intervention measures. 

Developing Behaviour Support Plans 

A Behaviour Support Plan is an individualised plan that will outline strategies for the improvement of a participant’s behaviour with long-term outcomes that can enhance quality of life. A plan is developed as part of rigorous assessment of the needs, challenges, and strengths of the participant. 

What Do Specialist Behaviour Support Providers Do? 

A specialist behaviour support provider works with individuals to understand complex behaviours. Specialists in the NDIS system have an important role to play in: 

• Detailed behavioural assessments, meant for the exploration of factors that give rise to challenging behaviour 

• To collaborate directly with participants and their families in developing comprehensive and personal Behaviour Support Plans 

• Continuous support and training for the caregivers and support workers towards a proper implementation of the plan for the support of behaviour 

These providers are helpful in decreasing the number of instances of restrictive practice but also make sure the strategy used is not only ethical, evidence-based but also best practice-based. 

Role of Behaviour Support Practitioners 

A behaviour support practitioner provides high-quality assessment and support in behavioural performance within the NDIS framework. The role of the practitioner involves: 

• Developing and reviewing Behaviour Support Plans: They assess the participant’s environment, skills, and needs to come up with a plan that enhances positive behaviour. 

• Training and coaching support workers and caregivers: The practitioner ensures that all involved parties in the care of a participant are aware of the plan and implement it accordingly. 

• Implementation and Monitoring of plans: Behaviour support practitioners monitor and check the strategies adopted so that the same may abide by the required aims. 

They are professional individuals who work in accordance with the guidelines laid down by NDIS so that the strategies adopted for the execution of behaviour support meet the standards of ethical, safety measures, and participant-centred. 

How to access NDIS Behaviour Support 

If you or your family member require NDIS Behaviour Support, the first thing to do is check whether it is included in your NDIS plan. NDIS plan specifies the range of capacity building. Behaviour support comes within Improved Relationship which falls within “Capacity Building” within the plan. 

The following steps must be undertaken to access such service: 

1. Contact your registered NDIS provider and ask if they have behaviour support services.
2. If the provider offers behaviour support services, they shall refer you to how you can book an appointment with a behaviour support practitioner.
3. A behaviour support practitioner shall work together with you, the participant, and their support network to assist in forming a behaviour support plan based on the specific needs of the participant.

You must ensure that you are dealing with a registered provider who is competent to provide the behaviour support services. That way you can be assured of getting the best, having him/her abide by the stipulations of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission because such a registered provider is required to provide care and practice ethically. 

Benefits to Participants and Support Networks 

In many ways, the main benefits come in terms of NDIS Behaviour Support. Many of them encompassing advantages both for participants and their support networks. Some of these benefits of NDIS behaviour support include:

1. Enhanced Quality of Life

Behaviour support addresses the root causes of challenging behaviours. It enables the improvement of an individual’s quality of life by helping him cope better with the challenges experienced daily, expressing his needs, and avoiding frustration.

2. Reduction in Restrictive Practices

One of the primary goals of behaviour support is to facilitate individuals in reducing or eliminating the need for restrictive practices. The use of such practices, defined as involving physical restraint or restriction of movement through other means can often result in long-term effects to the well-being of the participant that are harmful. Positive strategies and support will therefore work to minimise the need for this kind of intervention.

3. Improved Social Interactions

Positive Behaviour Support enhances their social skills and communication skills, hence enabling its participants to have meaningful relationships with their family members, friends, and community. Instead of helping other people overcome problematic behaviour in a constructive yet supportive manner, this helps the participant take ownership and feel empowered to interact more fully with those around him.

4. Personalised Support

Each participant’s support requirements is different; person-centred, and the behaviour support plan is tailor-made with all strategies developed in accordance with the personal goals and preferences of that person. In turn, such an approach yields better outcomes of support and continued success in overcoming challenging behaviours long after the approach has been withdrawn.

5. Long-term Behavioural Improvements

While short-term ones concentrate on corrections, the focus of positive behaviour support is on changing the perspective or direction in dealing with challenging behaviours by identifying their causes. Ongoing support will equip the participants with new skills and self-help behaviours, which in turn enhances their independence and general well-being. 

Choosing the Right NDIS Behaviour Support Provider 

The right provider for the Behaviour Support will be vital to ensure that the participant gets the best support that is effective and ethical. Some of the major factors to consider during the selection of a provider are:

1. Registered Provider

Ensure that the provider chosen has registered provider status. Registered providers are run by the Quality and Safeguards Commission, and therefore, they are sure to gain the national standards of safety, quality, and ethical practice.

2. Qualified and Experienced Practitioners

Ensure that there is a service provider capable of providing qualified, well-experienced behaviour support workers. Moreover, ascertain whether the workers are trained in Positive Behaviour Support and if they have experience with participants who face similar needs.

3. Person-Centred Approach

A good provider will adopt a person-centred approach to behaviour support, focusing on individual strengths, goals, and preferences. Such behaviour support planning reflects the unique needs of the participant; it should involve collaboration between the provider, the participant, and their support network.

4. Clear Communication

It is important that there is clear communication between the provider, participant, and family or carers. As such, consider a service provider who fosters openness in communication and ensures constant communication from each phase of the behaviour support process.

5. Transparency and Ethics

When choosing a behaviour support service provider, choose one who will be open and transparent about their practices, fee and methodology. Ensure that such provider operates in a manner that is ethical and fully complies with the guidelines of the Quality and Safeguards Commission. 

Restrictive Practices 

Restrictive practices are interventions that restrict rights or mobility. Restrictive practices could be used in the form of physical, chemical, mechanical, or environmental restraint and should only be used for behaviours that entail an acceptable level of risk both to the individual and others. 

The NDIS Commission has even more control and regulatory measures implemented on restrictive practices. Some key points include: 

• Regulated use: Restrictive practices can only be used with proper authorisation and oversight from the authoritative bodies. 

• Minimisation and elimination: It is by behaviour support that these practices are reduced and eventually eliminated with proactive strategies. 

• Monitoring in ethical and transparent ways: Any use of restrictive practice must be monitored, reported and reviewed to ensure participant safety and dignity. 

By eliminating unnecessary instances of restrictive practices, NDIS behaviour support respects and provides participants with the chance to progress. 

The Crucial Role of the NDIS Commission 

The NDIS Commission plays a significant role in overseeing behaviours support and ensuring participants’ rights are protected. This oversight agency ensures that: 

• Behaviours support practitioners are qualified and abide by established standards in the development of plans. 

• The behaviour support plan and the restrictive practice share a common reporting and monitoring. 

• Participants and families are involved in the planning process, and there is respect for their needs and preferences. 

Steps to Implementing a Behaviour Support Plan 

After choosing the right provider, the following are the steps in the way towards implementing a behaviour support plan: 

• Assessment: the Behaviour Support Practitioner will consider the participant and make comprehensive assessment of participant behaviour, environment, and all aspects of their wellbeing.
• Development of a Behaviour Support Plan: Based on the assessment information, the practitioner will have it in place to develop a plan of behaviour support specifically for the participant; a plan to manage challenging behaviour and to enhance positive outcomes.
• Training for the Support Network: A participant’s network of support which is made up of family and carers will be trained to carry out the behaviour support effectively.
• Monitoring and Review: There is on-going review and monitoring of the behaviour support plan to see how appropriate it is. Adjustments are made in respect to the changing needs and goals of the participant.

Enhancing Your Quality of Life with Kuremara 

Kuremara is the Registered NDIS Provider that improves the lives of people with a disability by offering holistic NDIS Behaviour Support services. The Positive Behaviour Support approach adopted by Kuremara is founded on understanding and addressing the causes of challenging behaviours. Participants are encouraged to apply healthier ways of communication and coping mechanisms leading to improved interaction, less stress, and greater independence. 

The experienced practitioners working at Kuremara collaborate intensively with each participant, their family, and support network to deliver individually tailored behaviour support plans, which are designed to reduce as much as possible the necessity of restrictive practices and provide a more empowering and inclusive place for participants. 

As an approved provider, Kuremara provides ethical person-centred care to participants in a manner that is in keeping with the standards for guidelines. This leads to long-term behavioural change and enables persons with disability to live full and fruitful lives and be productive contributors in their communities, hence enhancing well-being and satisfaction with life. 

Conclusion 

The fundamental purpose of the NDIS is to enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities, and Behaviour Support plays a critical role in the attainment of this objective. Positive Behaviour Support and individualised behaviour support plans will give participants more independence, less frustration, and better relationships with people around them. That is why there are long-term benefits in choosing the right registered provider and following a structured approach to behaviour support. A supported individual or their family benefit from overall well-being and quality of life thanks to this kind of behaviour support. 

Suppose your beloved one is seeking behavioural support, then select a provider who is committed to being supportive, person-centred, and seeking positive long-term outcomes. To learn more about behaviour support and restrictive practices, visit the NDIS Commission website.