Positive Behaviour
Framework Disability Sector
Update
May 2014 – Edition Number 5
Welcome to the May 2014 edition of the Positive Behaviour Framework Disability Sector Update.
This update is designed to inform the sector of developments underway in the continued rollout of
the Positive Behaviour Framework.
The focus for 2014 is to broaden the networks with the disability sector and other government
departments. Forums are planned in 2014, inviting contribution from the disability sector, people
with disability and their families and carers and other government departments to showcase
developments in the area of Positive Behaviour Support.
An overview of the current activities taking place under the framework in the areas of policy
development, whole of government, disability service sector and community development and
family leadership are detailed below.
What’s in this issue?

How is everyone working together to eliminate restrictive practices? ................................ 2

What are Behaviour Support Consultants and how are they contributing to the
rollout of the Positive Behaviour Framework? ............................................................... 2–4

What is the Positive Behaviour Support in Action interest group? ..................................... 4

What are Positive Behaviour Support Panels and how do they help eliminate
restrictive practices? .......................................................................................................... 4

What is the Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II and how can it
assist agencies with the new National Standards for Disability Services? ..................... 5–7

What other training is available under the Positive Behaviour Framework? ................ 8–14

How are families leading the way in Positive Behaviour Support with the “Is
there a better way?” training and the Side by Side Project? .......................................... 8–9

What research is currently occurring under the Positive Behaviour Framework? ............ 14

What is happening in regional WA under the Positive Behaviour Framework? ......... 14–15

How is the Commission working with other government departments in the area
of Positive Behaviour Support? ................................................................................. 15–16

What’s on in 2014? .......................................................................................................... 16
1
How is everyone working together to eliminate restrictive practices?
The Voluntary Code of Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices was introduced in
2012 and reviewed in March 2014. The code provides the basis for the disability sector to
develop operational policy and guidelines for eliminating the use of restrictive practices. It applies
to all services provided and funded by the Commission for children and adults with disability.
The code is currently being re-written with input from people with disability and their families and
carers, disability sector organisations and peak bodies. The revised code will be based on
feedback received through two separate state-wide consultative processes. This includes the
across-government review of the code at the Positive Behaviour Framework forum held 27
February. The forum was attended by government departments such as the Department of
Health, Mental Health Commission, Department of Education, Department of Aboriginal Affairs
and Department of Child Protection and Family Support.
National Disability Standards will support the increased emphasis on evidence-based,
contemporary approaches to behavioural support with a focus on transparent decision making in
the use of restraints. The Code of Practice will be important in assisting organisations to
transition to the requirements of the National Disability Standards.
The Voluntary Code of Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices is available at
www.disability.wa.gov.au > Disability Service Providers > Behaviour Support.
What are Behaviour Support Consultants and how are they contributing to the roll
out of the Positive Behaviour Framework?
Workforce reforms have supported the appointment of Behaviour Support Consultants. The
Commission’s Behaviour Support Consultation Team is working with 20 organisations who have
appointed people to this position. Behaviour Support Consultants act as mentors and/or frontline
coordinators to assist organisations to implement the Positive Behaviour Framework reform
agenda. These positions also act as a point of contact across the sector to encourage
collaboration and support transparency for organisations in the development of behavioural
responses for people with disability who sometimes experience challenging behaviour.
2
Pictured above from the Positive Behaviour Framework forum held November 2013 are:
Commission Behaviour Support Policy Officer Fran Gresley (left), Midwest Community Living
Association Behaviour Support Consultant (BSC) Tar Chikava, Valued Independent People BSC
Jacqui Long, Commission Senior BSC Rachel Barron, My Place (WA) Pty Ltd BSC Michelle
Atkinson, Autism Association of WA BSC Michele Thomas, Identitywa BSC Rachel Corridan,
Rise BSC Jennifer Mofflin, Commission Behaviour Support Consultation Team Manager Mike
Cubbage, Nulsen BSC Steve Van Vlijmen and Enable Southwest BSC Michael Finn.
A Community of Practice has been developed between Behaviour Support Consultants. The
consultants meet in this Community of Practice to share information and support each other on
the journey towards the reduction and eventual elimination of restrictive practices. The
Community of Practice provides opportunities for Behaviour Support Consultants to share
information, good news stories and resources.
Behaviour Support Consultants are taking the opportunity to access the Positive Behaviour
Support Tool Box of resources available to agencies to support the implementation of Positive
Behaviour Support. The Tool Box serves to aid the development of systems and operational
processes that support high quality Behaviour Support Plans and their implementation in
disability sector organisations. Contributions to the Tool Box have been made by several
3
organisations. If you are wondering how to collect data about restrictive practices or develop a
priority assessment matrix for example, contact Commission Behaviour Support Policy Officer
Fran Gresley on 0478 320 333 or email frances.gresley@dsc.wa.gov.au . If you would like further
details about the Tool Box and how to access resources please see Appendix one.
What is the Positive Behaviour Support in Action interest group?
The Positive Behaviour Support in Action (PBIA) interest group is a peer support group which
provides an opportunity for workers to continue to develop their skills in implementing and
applying Positive Behaviour Support principles in their workplace. The group is currently being
co-chaired by Joanna Doraisamy from Mosaic Community Care and Jodie Smyth from
UnitingCare West. There is a PBIA brochure on the ideaswa website
(http://www.ideaswa.net/upload/editor/files/positive_behaviour_in_action_interest_group_brochur
e.pdf). This lists the disability sector organisations involved in PBIA, what the group aims to do
and how to get involved.
The group has been running for some years and membership over that time has grown
significantly. Meetings are now always held at the Commission’s West Perth office so a video
link-up is available to regional providers. For further information please contact Jodie Smyth on
9203 7500 or by emailing jodie.smyth@unitingcarewest.org.au
What are Positive Behaviour Support Panels and how do they help eliminate
restrictive practices?
Positive Behaviour Support Panels have been introduced to review any Behaviour Support Plan
that contains a restrictive practice. The use of the Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation
Guide II (BSP-QEII) detailed below provides everyone in the disability sector with the common
language and focus that allows disability sector organisations to collaborate. The Behaviour
Support Consultants have agreed to be an external panel member for other organisations to
review any Behaviour Support Plan that contains a restrictive practice. This ensures a consistent
application of evidence-based practice in behaviour support planning with a transparent decisionmaking process. This has the benefit of external scrutiny for the organisation and the person with
a disability. The panels ensure the restrictive practice adopted is the least restrictive alternative,
in place for the shortest possible time with consideration of consent and with a process for
regular review put in place.
To support good practice in behaviour support planning and the elimination of restrictive practices
Kathryn Falloon from the Commission’s Behaviour Support Consultation team has achieved interrater reliability in the use of the Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II (BSP-QEII)
with the Office of the Senior Practitioner in Victoria. Kathryn is available to provide support for the
disability sector in assessing the quality of Behaviour Support Plans which have a restrictive
practice. Kathryn can be contacted by emailing kathryn.falloon@dsc.wa.gov.au
4
What is the Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II and how can it
assist agencies comply with the new National Standards for Disability Services?
The Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II (BSP-QEII) has been introduced to the
Western Australia disability sector. This guide is a transparent, evidence-based and
contemporary approach to assessing the quality of plans. It can be used as a method of
capturing the thinking behind the consideration of use of restrictive practices.
The Office of the Senior Practitioner in the Department of Human Services in Victoria routinely
uses the BSP-QEII as an evaluation guide to ensure good quality behaviour support plans and
the Centre of Excellence for Clinical Innovation and Behaviour Support in Queensland is now
providing training in the BSP-QEII.
The Behaviour Support Consultation team is working with the Office of the Senior Practitioner in
Victoria to provide support to the disability sector in Western Australia to access training in
behaviour support planning and “how to” training in the assessment of behaviour support plan
quality.
The Behaviour Support Consultation Team has designed a Behaviour Support Planning Guide
template. The planning guide incorporates references to the BSP-QEII and covers key areas for
consideration in developing a quality Behaviour Support Plan.
Associated training in the BSP-QEII has been specifically developed by the Behaviour Support
Consultation Team and will have direct relevance to the new National Standards for Disability
Services. (Source: http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/disability-service-providers-/for-disabilityservice-providers/quality-system/national-standards-for-disability-services/).
The Outcomes for the training are described below.
Behaviour Support Plans and Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation II Guide (BSPQEII) Refresher Training Outcomes
Skills
By the end of the training participants will have increased skills in:
•
•
•
•
identifying, examining and addressing the link between a person’s needs, general quality
of life and challenging behaviour
developing and writing a person centred behaviour support plan using the stages of
consultation and information gathering, analysis, planning, application and evaluation
designing person centred behaviour support plans which support the elimination of
restrictive practices
assessing the quality of a person centred behaviour support plan using the Behaviour
Support Plan-Quality Evaluation Guide II (BSP-QEII).
5
Knowledge
By the end of the training participants will have increased knowledge of:
•
•
•
•
•
the importance of the environment in reducing or increasing challenging behaviour
the importance of proactive versus reactive interventions in supporting people who may
sometimes display challenging behaviour
the value of gathering information and recording to inform a person centred behaviour
support plan
the core content areas to cover in a person centred behaviour support plan
the key components of the BSP-QEII.
Values
By the end of the training participants will appreciate:
•
•
the contemporary approaches to supporting people who may exhibit challenging behaviour
and how approaches have changed over time
the importance of working in strong partnership with all key people when developing a
person centred behaviour support plan.
The most recent completed training event for the Behaviour Support Plans and Behaviour
Support Plan Quality Evaluation II Guide (BSP-QEII) Refresher training took place in
Bunbury in February 2014. Currently two further groups are being run in the metropolitan area.
These groups include representatives from Senses, Therapy Focus, Disability Services
Commission, Autism Association of WA, Midwest Community Living Association, Rocky Bay and
Department of Education.
6
Staff from Community Living Association Inc who took part in the BSP and BSP-QEII
Refresher Training. From left to right Eric Glass Senior Coordinator, Adrian Valley Positive
Support Manager, Maresa Gray Senior Coordinator, and Anna Whitaker Positive Support
Facilitator.
The Behaviour Support Planning and Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation II Guide
(BSP-QEII) Refresher training forms part of a comprehensive and integrated training
structure. It is intended to support the development of skills in Positive Behaviour Support at
all levels throughout the disability sector and the general community. A sound knowledge of
Positive Behaviour Support principles is important in delivering high quality services for
people with disability, their families and carers who share experiences of challenging
behaviour. There are other opportunities for training emerging under the Positive Behaviour
Framework shown in the diagram on page 8.
7
What other training is available under the Positive Behaviour Framework?
The training framework below shows the training currently taking place under the Positive
Behaviour Framework.
Training framework
How are families leading the way in Positive Behaviour Support with the “Is there a
better way?” training and the Side by Side Project?
“Is there a better way?” training
The “Is there a better way?” training package (funded by the Commission and developed by
families and people with disability) accompanied the release of the Voluntary Code of Practice for
the Elimination of Restrictive Practices in 2013. This state-wide training initiative provided families
and disability sector organisations the opportunity to explore ways of supporting people with
disability using the principles of Positive Behaviour Support embedded in real life stories of how
families themselves (and with professional support) have addressed issues of challenging
behaviours in positive and contemporary ways.
Testimonies from families were very positive with multiple requests for further opportunities to
access this training. Participants reported a significant gain in their level of understanding of
Positive Behaviour Support including improved skills in communication. A greater awareness of
the need to use a human rights framework to guide decision making for people with disability who
may sometimes experience challenging behaviour was also expressed. One family group
8
petitioned their local government who provided funding to enable other families to access the
training. Additional funding has enabled the, “Is there a better way?” training to continue and
through it, new family leaders to emerge. The training enables disability sector organisations and
families to sit together in a safe space to open up the difficult conversation about the use of
restrictive practices. People who may be interested in attending this training should email Susan
Stanford at susans@youniverse.org.au or Jaquie Mills at jaquiemills@gmail.com
Side by Side Project
The Side by Side family mentoring project brought families together to provide support,
friendship, information and encouragement as families face the challenges of supporting a loved
one who sometimes experiences challenging behaviour. This project has been evaluated and
additional funding has been successfully sought to grow and develop this approach to building
enduring supports for families at risk of losing capacity to care. This is a co-production model
where families will be able to assist in the design and delivery of services as well as being part of
the long term maintenance strategies.
Back row from left to
right: Joanne Nunn,
Gillian Rainer, Taryn
Harvey Jaquie Mills.
Front row from left to
right: Julie Martin,
Jenny Jay, Bronwynn
Pike and Susan
Stanford, who all
attended the Family
Leadership meeting in
February 2014.
More than Talking
More than Talking training is designed to assist Behaviour Support Consultants to further develop
their understanding of the role of communication in how we interpret behaviour, understand the
unmet needs in people’s lives, how these influence behaviour and how we can support a better
quality of life for people with disability who may experience challenging behaviour. The More than
9
Talking training focuses on supporting people with complex communication needs but the
underpinning principles have a broad application across disability. The most recent More than
Talking Training ran in November 2013.
Positive Behaviour Support training
The Commission’s Learning and Development branch has rolled out Positive Behaviour Support
training. This training is designed to provide staff with practical ways to support people using
Positive Behaviour Support. This training will be available state-wide on a cost recovery basis.
The most recent Positive Behaviour Support training took place in Geraldton in February and was
attended by ATLAS and Mid-west Community Living Association. The training was well received
with all participants agreeing or strongly agreeing they now have the skills and knowledge and
tools to develop a Behaviour Support Plan with their team and manager. All participants said
they would recommend the training to other staff.
Pictured are
participants at the
Positive Behaviour
Support training run
in Geraldton. From
left to right: Fiona
Burling, Christa
Adami, Tar
Chikava, Susan
Crabbe, Ksenia
Edwards, Marie
Lamont, Jane
Carrie, Jade
Sutcliffe, Gidion
Chiromo, Linda
Moore, Karen Hills,
and Nikki Rubin.
10
Training has also been delivered to Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre to support them to include
children with disability in their programs. The update below has been provided by the
Commission’s Learning and Development branch.
Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre offers specialised programs that cater to groups or
individuals, including:
•
Swim School offers 1 on 1 swimming lessons for people with disability
•
Registered provider of Care Through Fitness
•
Work Power Explore specialise in group fitness for people with disability
•
Count Us In Senior health club program run for people with disability and
minority groups.
Belmont Oasis is structured to incorporate the diverse learning needs of all children
enrolled at the centre. It caters to the needs of individual children by providing
inclusive activities which encourage group social skills and acceptance through
Individual Support Service Plans based on Positive Behaviour Support strategies.
Sensory equipment is available for the children and staff are provided with
additional training to assist with various programs. Visual routines are supported
and implemented into the daily program and a variety of open communication
strategies between families, children and staff are encouraged.
Jackie Castle, the centre’s Childcare Manager recently contacted Behaviour
Support Services to enquire about training opportunities in Positive Behaviour
Support, to assist staff in supporting a young person with Autism. Jackie was
advocating strongly for some training for their staff to ensure this young person
could continue to enjoy the activities offered at the centre.
The Commission’s Learning and Development branch was able to provide a one
day PBS program, tailored specifically towards the centre’s staff. The program was
held at the centre to ensure factors such as the physical environment could be
taken into consideration. The staff also received some instruction in personal safety
techniques. Based on the feedback from those who attended, the training was well
received and there were recommendations that it be offered to more centre staff.
11
.
Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre training in Positive Behaviour Support. From left to right: Heidi
Lumley, Jasmine Waller, Bianca Pattullo.
The Commission’s Fiona Burling (standing, second from left) joins Belmont Oasis Leisure
Centre staff (left to right) Katelyn Isard and Jasmine Waller (sitting) and Jackie Castle ,
Bianca Pattullo, and Danica Ilich (standing) at the recent training in Positive Behaviour
Support delivered by the Commission’s Learning and Development branch.
12
How do I find out more or access future training opportunities?
Behaviour Support Consultants interested in attending More than Talking training, Positive
Behaviour Support training or Behaviour Support Plans and Behaviour Support Plan Quality
Evaluation II Guide (BSP-QEII) refresher training should contact Denise Wettermann in the first
instance on 9301 3838 or email denise.wettermann@dsc.wa.gov.au. If your organisation is
interested in accessing these training opportunities and does not have a Behaviour Support
Consultant, contact Fran Gresley on 0478 320 333 or email frances.gresley@dsc.wa.gov.au.
People interested in attending “Is there a better way?” training should email Susan Stanford
susans@youniverse.org.au or Jaquie Mills at jaquiemills@gmail.com .
What training has been completed so far under the Positive Behaviour Framework?
So far, 416 people in metropolitan and regional areas have attended training opportunities as part
of the rollout of the Positive Behaviour Framework. Training has been attended by families and
staff from disability sector organisations including Activ, ATLAS, Community Living Association
Inc, Enable Southwest, Identitywa, Lower Great Southern Family Support Association, Kira,
Mosaic Community Care, Midwest Community Living Association, My Place, Nulsen Disability
Services, Rise, Rocky Bay, Strive Warren Blackwood, Therapy Focus and UnitingCare West.
Training completed under the Positive Behaviour Framework till March 2014:
Training
Regional
Metropolitan
Unknown
Total
Behaviour Support Planning
and Behaviour Support Quality
Evaluation Guide II
Is There a Better Way?
12
23
0
35
106
103
0
209
More Than Talking
12
10
5
27
Positive Behaviour Support for
direct care workers
Positive Behaviour Support for
supervisors and coordinators
Behaviour Support Consultant
Training
Totals
0
44
0
44
58
0
0
58
43
0
0
43
231
180
5
416
13
Note: the ‘Unknown’ category in the table above denotes participants from various agencies in
the “Is there a better way?” training.
What research is currently occurring under the Positive Behaviour Framework?
The Commission has entered into a research partnership with the Business School at the
University of Western Australia to examine the system wide application of Positive Behaviour
Support. The research aims to find out what are the most effective and efficient investments for
disability sector organisations to assist them to improve quality of life for people with disability
and reduce restrictive practices. The outcome is intended to guide disability sector organisations
to increase their capacity to respond more effectively to people who may sometimes experience
challenging behaviour while safeguarding the human rights of the people who are their service
users.
The researchers involved in the project, Assistant Professors Christine Soo and Mark Edwards
wrote an article entitled “Positive Stories: Implementing the Positive Behaviour Framework in
Western Australia” which will be presented at the International Association for the Scientific Study
of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSID) conference in Vienna in July 2014.
What is happening in regional WA under the Positive Behaviour Framework?
The Sector and Workforce Development South West and Lower Great Southern Expansion
Project is underway with disability sector organisations Strive Warren Blackwood (Bridgetown),
14
Lower Great Southern Family Support Association (Albany), Enable Southwest (Bunbury) and
Community Living Association Inc (Albany).
All four organisations have now introduced Positive Behaviour Support Panels to discuss and
develop Behaviour Support Plans to reduce and eliminate the use of restrictive practices
identified in the restrictive practice audits. Each panel includes a member external to the
organisation, and Skype and other video-link facilities are being used to ensure continued
participation across regional areas of Western Australia for disability sector organisations
involved in the project. Although in the early stages, the panelling processes have already
resulted in positive outcomes for individuals supported by these organisations, including
medication reviews, person centred plans, improved supports exclusive of restrictive practices
and increase in inclusive community activities.
Project team members have now completed “refresher” training in the use of the Behaviour
Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II to assess the quality of behaviour support plans. They
are now trying out the assessment guide as well as the revised Behaviour Support Planning
Guide and Writing Template.
The project team is also very pleased to congratulate Anna Whitaker, Positive Support Facilitator
with Community Living Association Inc (CLA) in Albany, who was presented with the “Emerging
Leader Award” at the Disability Support Worker Awards event, held at the Crown Casino in Perth
15 March 2014. Alongside Positive Support Manager Adrian Valley, Anna has been instrumental
in implementing the Voluntary Code of Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices and
introduction of the Positive Behaviour Support Panels at CLA over the past several months, and
provides a great role model for positive behaviour support practices.
In addition to the activity in the South West, Midwest Community Living Association (MWCLA)
has now completed a raft of training for their staff and has commenced the restrictive practices
audit process. MWCLA has already used concepts from the Effective Service Design to achieve
a highly improved quality of life for one individual and will continue to implement positive
behaviour support strategies across their services.
How is the Commission working with other government departments in the area of
Positive Behaviour Support?
The Commission and the Department of Education are collaborating on a pilot project to
investigate the optimal conditions that support the inclusion of children with behaviours that can
sometimes be challenging in mainstream primary school settings.
Ongoing training initiatives and presentations to other government departments take place as
part of the roll out of the Framework including Department of Corrective Services training for
prison officers.
15
Presentations on the Positive Behaviour Framework have been made to groups such as the
Joondalup Mental Health Professional Network, Parenting WA, Edith Cowan University and
Juvenile Justice. Commission consultant psychologist Nigel Cameron presented professional
development events on 17 April 2014 at the Department of Corrective Services and 14 May 2014
at Hakea Prison regarding working with people with disability in the justice system and the
Positive Behaviour Support approach.
These presentations are continuing to raise awareness and interest in the area of Positive
Behaviour Support.
What’s on in 2014?
26 June 2014
Positive Behaviour Framework Forum
This forum agenda will include an update on the some of the proposed changes following the
review of the Voluntary Code of Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices.
Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Theatre at Technology Park, 2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley
28 August 2014
Positive Behaviour Framework Forum
27 November 2014
Positive Behaviour Framework Forum
16
Appendix One
The Positive Behaviour Support Tool Box
The Positive Behaviour Support Tool Box (the Tool Box) serves to aid the development of
systems and operational processes that support high quality Behaviour Support Plans and their
implementation in disability sector organisations. Contributions to the Tool Box have been made
by several organisations. Resources available in the Tool Box include the following.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Behavioural recording templates
Priority Assessment Matrix for Restrictive Practices and Challenging Behaviours
Process flow diagrams and associated forms for restrictive practice audits and positive
behaviour support panels
Sample terms of reference for positive behaviour support panels
Behaviour Support Consultant profiles
Behaviour Support Plan Planning Guide
Behaviour Support Plan Writing Template
Summary Behaviour Support Plan Template
Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation II (BSP-QEII) Summary Scoring Guide
Other various graphs and templates.
If you would like to access resources available in the Tool Box contact Commission Behaviour
Support Policy Officer Fran Gresley on 0478 320 333 or email frances.gresley@dsc.wa.gov.au
17