Course Title

Positive Behaviour Support: Understanding, Preventing, and Responding to Challenging Behaviour

Course Aim

To equip professionals with the knowledge, understanding, and practical skills needed to prevent, de-escalate, and respond to challenging behaviours using person-centered, trauma-informed approaches that maintain dignity while ensuring safety for all involved.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will:

Know:

• The legal and ethical frameworks governing behaviour support, including duty of care and human rights considerations
• The Seven Phases of Crisis model (Kaplan-Wheeler) and intervention strategies appropriate to each phase
• The principles of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and the functions of challenging behaviour
• The components of effective ABC (Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence) analysis
• The Non-Escalation, De-Escalation and Crisis Mangement framework for conflict management
• The SCARF model and its application to understanding threat responses
• Safe systems of work for behavioural interventions in various settings

Understand:

• How behaviour serves as communication and the importance of asking “What is this person trying to tell us?”
• The impact of trauma on behaviour and the principles of trauma-responsive care
• The relationship between quality of life improvements and reduction in challenging behaviours
• How environmental factors, staff approaches, and communication styles can trigger or prevent escalation
• The importance of seeing situations from the service user’s perspective
• How power imbalances and institutional practices can contribute to challenging behaviours
• The difference between reactive strategies and proactive, preventative approaches
• The connection between staff wellbeing and effective behaviour support

Be able to do:

• Apply the “Three Essential PBS Questions” when analyzing challenging situations
• Conduct thorough ABC analyses to identify patterns and functions of behaviour
• Develop person-centered behaviour support plans that address underlying needs
• Implement appropriate de-escalation techniques during each phase of crisis
• Apply the Non-Escalation, De-Escalation and Crisis Mangement for conflict prevention and management, including:
  • Active listening with all senses
  • Using appropriate non-verbal and para-verbal communication
  • Implementing effective redirection techniques
  • Maintaining appropriate proxemics and personal space
  • Applying the “one voice” principle during crisis situations
• Create individualised prevention strategies based on motivational, ecological, and mediator analyses
• Respond to early warning signs to prevent escalation
• Execute appropriate tertiary strategies when prevention has failed

Course Duration

• Full-day (6 hours): Comprehensive behaviour support training
• Half-day (3 hours): PBS fundamentals with focus on prevention and de-escalation
• Two-day (12 hours): Advanced program including physical intervention techniques (when appropriate)

Target Audience

• Support workers and care staff in health and social care settings
• Educational professionals working with challenging behaviour
• Mental health practitioners
• Residential care staff
• Any professionals supporting individuals with complex behavioural needs

Learning Methodologies

• Case-based learning using the “Game Time” scenario to develop empathy and understanding
• Role-playing of common workplace scenarios to practice de-escalation skills
• Analysis of real-world ABC charts and development of behaviour support plans
• Video analysis of crisis situations with guided reflection
• Small group activities applying the Seven Phases model to actual workplace challenges
• Skill-building exercises for conflict prevention and management
• Reflective practice sessions to connect theory with personal experience

Tailoring and Relevance

Training is specifically designed based on your organisation’s unique needs through a comprehensive Training Needs Analysis. Content is tailored to address the specific challenges faced by your staff and the individuals they support, with customised scenarios relevant to your setting.

Legal and Medical Review

All physical techniques and intervention strategies have undergone rigorous risk assessment for both practicality and safety, with attention to potential impacts on both staff and service users. The training aligns with relevant legal frameworks and best practice guidelines.

Trainer Qualifications and Credibility

Delivered by experienced professionals with expertise in PBS, conflict management, and crisis prevention. Our trainers have practical experience in behaviour support implementation and maintain current certification in relevant methodologies.

Resources Provided

Participants receive comprehensive reference materials including:

• ABC analysis templates and guidance
• Behaviour support plan frameworks
• Crisis prevention checklists
• De-escalation strategy cards
• Reflective practice guides
• Access to ongoing support resources

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Course effectiveness is measured through:

• Pre and post-training knowledge assessments
• Practical skill demonstration during training
• Follow-up evaluation of implementation in the workplace
• Data collection on incident reduction and prevention successes
• Regular review of behaviour support plans created post-training

Reinforcement and Ongoing Learning

The course includes strategies for maintaining skills through practice and reflection, with optional follow-up coaching sessions to ensure sustained application of techniques. Organisations can access refresher modules focused on specific aspects of behaviour support.

This behaviour support training is built on the understanding that all behaviour is communication and that effective support requires a balance of proactive strategies and appropriate responses. The person-centred approach ensures that participants develop practical skills they can immediately apply in their work environments, resulting in improved outcomes for both service users and staff.