Behaviour Support Plans

Under the NDIS, Behaviour Support is often focused on reducing what’s called “behaviours of concern.” These are behaviours that might pose a risk to the person or others, or just make daily life a little more complicated for everyone involved (cue: biting, bolting, shouting, throwing items, or the occasional dramatic exit from a Zoom call).

But at Let’s Work on That, we approach this work differently. Instead of asking, “How do we get this behaviour to stop?”, we get curious:

• “What is this behaviour trying to protect?”
  “Which part of the person is stepping in and what does it need to feel safe, understood, and supported?”

Because from our perspective, “challenging behaviour” isn’t bad behaviour. It’s a brilliant survival strategy by a protective part that’s doing the best it can with what it’s got. Even if that strategy involves tipping a table or emotionally blackmailing the support worker with a packet of Tim Tams.

So, What Is a Behaviour Support Plan?

A Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) is a structured document developed by a Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner under the NDIS Behaviour Support Framework.

The BSP is designed to:

• Identify the function of the behaviour (aka: what is this behaviour trying to communicate, prevent, or manage?)

• Support the person using positive behaviour support strategies that are respectful and person-centred

• Minimise or eliminate restrictive practices (e.g. physical restraint, seclusion, chemical restraint), in line with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s expectations

• Improve the person’s quality of life, autonomy, safety, and relationships

The goal is not to “fix” the person, or suppress their behaviours into quiet compliance. Instead, we focus on creating conditions where they no longer need those behaviours to survive, cope, or communicate distress. Or, put simply:
Less “How do we stop this behaviour?”
More “What does this person need to feel safe enough not to need it?”

So, What Does Behaviour Support Look Like with Let’s Work on That?

Our Behaviour Support Plan still meets all NDIS guidelines, but it comes with a heart.

That means we:

• Focus on the why behind behaviour, not just the what

• Conduct compassionate, collaborative functional assessments (with as little jargon and as much humanity as possible)

• Support participants to identify their own internal cues and parts (if possible)

• Build co-regulation strategies that make everyone feel safer, not just quieter

• Reduce or eliminate restrictive practices in line with best-practice and safeguarding principles

• Help teams, support workers, and families understand how to respond to the person, not just the behaviour

It’s like learning to speak someone’s inner language, even when that language involves a sudden meltdown in aisle five at Woolies.

Who Is This For?

Behavioural support is especially helpful for:

• Children, teens, and adults who live with psychosocial disability, developmental disability, trauma histories, or just have a very loud internal committee

• Participants funded under Improved Relationships or Capacity Building – Behaviour Support

• Families, carers, and support teams looking for more than “do this/don’t do that” strategies

• Anyone tired of seeing behaviour as a “problem” instead of a message

Why It Works

Because no one likes being managed, but everyone wants to be understood.

When we meet behaviour with curiosity instead of correction, and we treat all parts with dignity (even the angry, shut-down, sugar-hunting ones), something shifts. The system softens. The person feels seen. And often, the behaviour starts to shift. Not because we forced it, but because it no longer has to scream to be heard.

Behaviour is communication. Always. And behind that behaviour is a person with a complex, brilliant internal system doing its very best.

If you're looking for Behaviour Support Plans that are trauma-informed, non-pathologising, NDIS-compliant and a little more human. I'd love to support you or your team.

All parts are welcome. Even the eye-rolling part that came here by accident and is now mildly intrigued.