Positive behaviour support (PBS)
Learn about positive behaviour support (PBS) at Priory.
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an approach for supporting adults who are on the autism spectrum or have a learning disability. It's particularly useful when supporting people who may display behaviours of concern (also known as 'behaviours that challenge'). This is when a person exhibits behaviours that present risks to themselves or others.
Through our PBS services, we empower individuals to live safely and happily in community settings. Our person-centred, proactive, and respectful support encourages skill development and independence.
How does PBS work?
PBS is a framework that shapes the support we provide, integrating behavioural science and a person-centred approach. The underlying principle is that a person's behaviours help them meet a need. Our PBS practitioners work to support people to have a fulfilled life without relying on behaviours of concern to meet their needs.
Our PBS teams will assess the relationship between behaviours and other aspects of the person’s life and environment. They will work alongside the person and the people who are important to them, including other professionals, where appropriate.
They develop personalised support plans that reflect the person's needs and preferences. This will include guidance for their support team to ensure that their choices and goals are at the heart of their care and support.
The benefits of PBS
PBS is the ideal framework for supporting adults who have a learning disability or are on the autism spectrum. In a residential or supported living setting, PBS enables support teams to:
- Build capable environments with the appropriate level of stimulation for the person
- Improve the quality of life of the people we support
- Understand people and their behaviour, identifying the variables that result in behaviours of concern
- Identify appropriate methods to support a person positively and proactively, to reduce behaviours of concern, and respond suitably to behaviours of concern
- Evaluate and review the person's achievements and progress
This approach can support a reduction in the use of restrictive interventions within a person's care. In turn, this leads to greatly improved wellbeing outcomes for the individual. With PBS, people who have displayed behaviours of concern can live happily and safely in the community.
Her behaviours have drastically reduced
With the help and support of Priory, this individual is more like her old self now, like she used to be years ago. Her displays of behaviours have drastically reduced, and she's a lot more positive and happy
PBS at Priory
Our expert practitioners deliver PBS across our national network of community-based services. This includes both residential homes and supported living services.
In addition, our support teams within our autism and learning disability services will also receive PBS and PROACT-SCIPr-UK® training. This holistic approach ensures that PBS-informed practices are embedded within the support we provide.
Please use the map below to view our services that can offer PBS input.
How to make a referral
Our service provides high quality support to people with varying levels of need. Referrals can be made through the individual’s social care team or, if relevant, their local health authority. If you are a professional looking to make a referral, please call us or fill in our enquiry form.