Positive Behaviour Support has developed in this country and around the world and is becoming accepted as the right, evidenced based approach to support people who exhibit behaviours of concern. The scandal at Winterborne View has shown us what happens when people get it wrong and reminds us how important it is to do things right!
Positive Behaviour Support approaches have become established as the preferred approach when working with people with learning disabilities who exhibit behaviours of concern.
The overall aim of PBS is to support people to live a meaningful life, increasing wellbeing and reducing the frequency and intensity of behaviours of concern. There is also a strong emphasis on reducing the use of restrictive practices.
PBS aims to achieve this by following the 6 principles listed below.
There are a lot of people with learning disabilities and behaviours of concern who are subject to physical interventions and other restrictive practices. The right policies and practice, and high quality training to increase staff skills and confidence and reduce injuries, is therefore critical. It is also vital for people who may experience difficulties in communicating or managing their emotions and use behaviour as a way to express themselves. This is why MacIntyre as an organisation is adopting Positive Behaviour Support and over the coming months as the organisation makes changes to support the process all staff will begin to be trained on its use.
Great Interactions will play a pivotal part in the successes of people we support using Positive Behaviour Support. The training and experiences that staff have already acquired through the Great Interactions programme will enable staff to be facilitative, creating positive experiences and interactions for people as well as facilitating total communication with the overriding aim of increasing wellbeing for all as shown in MacIntyre’s DNA.
Callum Sillitoe
Behaviour Support Specialist
Wingrave