Positive Behaviour Framework Disability Sector Update
November 2014 - Edition Number 6
Welcome to the November 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.
An overview of the current activities taking place under the framework is detailed below.
What’s in this issue?

Positive Behaviour Framework Forum ............................................................................... 2

Launch of the Code of Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices ...................... 3

Evaluation of the pilot training Behaviour Support Planning and the Behaviour
Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II (BSP-QEII)........................................................ 3

Family leadership initiatives under the Positive Behaviour Framework ............................. 5

Training available under the Positive Behaviour Framework ............................................. 5

Implementing Positive Behaviour Support in the disability sector ...................................... 9

What is happening in regional WA under the Positive Behaviour Framework? ............... 11

Research currently occurring under the Positive Behaviour Framework ......................... 12

How the Commission is working with other stakeholders in the area of Positive
Behaviour Support? ......................................................................................................... 13

What’s on in 2014–2015? ................................................................................................ 16
Positive Behaviour Framework Forum
The most recent Positive Behaviour Framework forum took place on 26 June 2014 at
Technology Park in Bentley and was attended by more than 100 people. The forum was
opened by Josey Hansen (Djidi-Djidi, Active Response Bereavement Outreach and
Aboriginal Consultant) with a Welcome to Country (Josey is pictured on page 2 with Mike
Cubbage from the Disability Services Commission). Jodie Smyth (Manager of Community
Options and Behaviour Support Consultant with UnitingCare West) (pictured on page 2,
bottom, on the left) provided an engaging talk about the journey of UnitingCare West in
implementing Positive Behaviour Support within the organisation, including the key factors for
successful implementation.
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Dr Ron Chalmers (Director General, Disability Services Commission) provided an overview of
the West Australian approach to the elimination of restrictive practices, and Barbara Gatter
(Independent Consultant) discussed the key signposts for the future in the review of the
Voluntary Code of Practice. This was accompanied by a discussion from Kaye Donec (Adult
Therapy Team Leader, Disability Services Commission) about therapeutic devices and the
Code of Practice. The forum closed with table workshops examining a decision-making
flowchart of a process to guide decision making in reducing or eliminating restrictive
practices. (Workshop table pictured below, bottom right, from left to right: Helen Lilley,
Identitywa; Jennifer Mofflin, Rise; Bethlyn Jarvis, UnitingCare West advocate; Karan
Cinquina, Rise; Peter Seawood, Strive; and David Rogers, NDS).
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Launch of the Code of Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices
The Code of Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices 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 has been re-written by an editorial group made up of families, people with disability,
peak bodies and the disability sector and was reviewed by Office of the Public Advocate prior
to publication. Some of the key changes include the addition of a decision-making flowchart
for challenging behaviour and restrictive practices, a greater emphasis on Positive Behaviour
Support approaches including person-centred planning, and a greater focus on the role of
Positive Behaviour Support Panels.
The Commission met with the West Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council on 1 October
2014 to discuss the next review of the Code and discuss a consultation strategy to raise
awareness of the Code within the Aboriginal community in Western Australia.
Evaluation of the pilot training Behaviour Support Planning and the Behaviour
Support Plan Quality Evaluation Guide II (BSP-QEII)
The training ‘Behaviour Support Planning and the Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation
Guide II (BSP-QEII)’ ran from December 2013–July 2014. Further events are planned for the
next twelve months. Between December 2013 and July 2014, 16 regional and metropolitan
organisations sent 68 participants for training, representing a range of disability sector
organisations and the Department of Education. Participants varied widely in their
background, knowledge and experience of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), coming from
direct care, allied health backgrounds, supervisory and management backgrounds.
The evaluation results indicated the training builds the capacity of participants to develop
behaviour support plans and assess the quality of plans independently, and also supports
building a community of practice within and between organisations. It was particularly
encouraging to see that all participants indicated an increase in knowledge and skills in
developing and accessing person-centred Behaviour Support Plans, given the very varied
group composition in terms of background knowledge and experience of PBS.
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Results of the evaluation reveal how the BSP-QEII has had a positive impact on:
1. The knowledge and skills of participants to develop and write effective Behaviour
Support Plans.
Of participants who rated this question, 91.3 per cent of participants “agreed” or “strongly
agreed” their knowledge and skills in writing behaviour support plans had increased, with no
participant indicating “disagreement”.
2. Knowledge and skills of participants in the use of the Behaviour Support Plan
Quality Evaluation Guide II (BSP-QEII) to assess the quality of a Behaviour Support
Plan — an evidence-based approach to examining the quality of Behaviour Support
Plans.
Similar to the aim above, 91.3 per cent of participants who answered this question “agreed”
or “strongly agreed” their knowledge and skills in assessing the quality of behaviour support
plans had increased, with no participant indicating “disagreement”.
3. Develop an effective community of practice including Behaviour Support
Consultants and their champions within each participating organisation.
Of participants who answered the question, 82.8 per cent “agreed” or “strongly agreed” they
felt more connected to a community of practice, with no participant answering
“disagreement”. This result indicates effective communities of practice are developing within
each participating organisation and this will support embedding of Positive Behaviour Support
within organisations.
The training was intentionally designed to develop communities of practice within
organisations. Communities of practice are groups of practitioners who engage in joint
activities and discussions, help each other, share information and build relationships that
enable them to learn from each other. Communities of practice develop a shared repertoire of
resources such as experiences, stories, tools, ways of addressing recurring problems, in
short, a shared practice (Source Etienne Wenger – at http://wenger-trayner.com/Intro-toCoPs/). Developing communities of practice within organisations assists Behaviour Support
Consultants with the necessary context to be most effective in embedding Positive Behaviour
Support within their organisations.
Comments suggest that participants felt more connected to a community of practice within
and between their organisations and benefitted from being part of training across all days.
This was a particularly pleasing result as this indicated the training had exceeded the aim of
building a community of practice within organisations. The training supports organisations to
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develop a common language about developing and assessing the quality of behaviour
support plans thus facilitating further collaboration and communication across the sector.
Behaviour Support Plan Planning Guide and Summary Behaviour Support Plan
template
The Behaviour Support Plan Planning Guide has been integral to the success of the training.
It is the central teaching tool used at the training and combines the areas of theory, practice
and quality evaluation in relation to behaviour support planning. In particular, the planning
guide integrates the requirements of the evidence based BSP-QEII into a comprehensive
behaviour support plan template. Almost 96 per cent of respondents who attended the
training “agreed” or “strongly agreed” this guide was useful, with no participant indicating
“disagreement”. The accompanying summary document called the Behaviour Support Plan
Summary Template was also highly regarded, with 100 per cent of participants who rated the
question “agreeing” or “strongly agreeing” this document would be useful. These documents
will soon be available for people who have attended the training through the PBS Tool Box.
Family leadership initiatives under the Positive Behaviour Framework
“Is there a better way?” workshops
The “Is there a better way?” workshops provide families and disability sector organisations
the opportunity to explore ways of supporting people with disability. The workshops use the
principles of Positive Behaviour Support embedded in real life stories of how families
themselves (and sometimes with professional support) have addressed issues of challenging
behaviours in positive and contemporary ways. The workshops have recently been adapted
to run during school hours to assist families in accessing the training. People who may be
interested in attending should email Susan Stanford susans@youniverse.org.au or Jaquie
Mills at jaquiemills@gmail.com. Please see Appendix One for a sample flyer about “Is there a
better way?” workshops.
Side by Side Project
The Side by Side family partnership project brings families together for support, friendship,
information and encouragement as they face the challenges of supporting a family member
who sometimes experiences challenging behaviour. The project is an approach to building
enduring supports for families at risk of losing capacity to care. See Appendix Two for a flyer
about the Side by Side Project.
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Training available under the Positive Behaviour Framework
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Augmentative and Alternative Communication is a one-day training course for direct support
workers run by the Learning and Development Branch of the Disability Services Commission.
At the end of the session staff will be able to: explain the participation model; identify
methods of communication and reasons people communicate; identify and overcome barriers
using a variety of communication strategies; use a core vocabulary of Key Word Signs;
complete a communication profile and action plan for an individual.
Therapeutic Devices
This workshop explores the difference between a therapeutic device and a restrictive
practice, when a device would be considered a restrictive practice and what safeguards need
to be in place. The workshop focusses on practical decision making with therapeutic devices
and is run by Kaye Donec, Adult Therapy Team Leader at the Disability Services
Commission.
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 Talking training focuses on supporting people with complex
communication needs, but the underpinning principles have a broad application across
disability. More than Talking training has run three times this year with very good feedback.
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 and is available state-wide on a cost recovery
basis. The most recent Positive Behaviour Support training took place on 25 August 2014
and included staff from Interchange, UnitingCare West, One2one, Anglicare and the
Department of Education.
Development and Assessment of Behaviour Support Plans (BSP-QEII)
The most recent completed event for the training now entitled “Behaviour Support Plan
Development and Assessment” took place in Perth in July 2014. This group included
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representatives from Senses, Therapy Focus, Disability Services Commission, Autism
Association of WA, Midwest Community Living Association, Rocky Bay and the Department
of Education. Top pictures left to right — Dr Lisa Taylor and Melinda Donohue (Autism
Association), Ksenia Edwards (Midwest CLA), Fran Gresley (Commission) and Tar Chikava
(Midwest CLA). Bottom picture — training led by facilitators Kathryn Falloon (right) and
Rachel Barron.
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Interest in the BSP-QEII and the associated training provided by the Commission continues
to grow, with recent registrations from disability sector organisations and other departments
such as Institute of Technology and WA Department of Education. This cross-sector
connection provides a fine opportunity for collaboration across sectors in how to best support
people with disability who may exhibit challenging behaviour.
Positive Behaviour Support Tool Box Training
The Positive Behaviour Support Tool Box of resources is a collaborative effort by the disability
sector developed under the Positive Behaviour Framework Stage 2. These resources are
freely available to organisations to support the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support
and eliminate the use of restrictive practices by:





Expanding knowledge about PBS
Collecting data about restrictive practices
Implementing processes to work towards the elimination of restrictive practices
Gathering information to enable development of BSPs
Developing and assessing high quality BSPs.
Some aspects of the tool box resources will require training to enable organisations to gain a
good knowledge of how the systems and processes should be applied. This Positive
Behaviour Support Tool Box training is a complimentary service that is provided to better
ensure consistency of systems and processes across the sector. If attendees have already
accessed the required training available under the Positive Behaviour Framework, at the end
of the Positive Behaviour Support Tool Box training, they are provided with the passwords
required to access the resources on the IdeasWA website. Organisations are also able to
adjust the format of the various templates to meet the specific requirements of their
organisation, and are invited to share resources and ideas with other organisations through
the Tool Box.
For more information about the Tool Box and how to access the induction training, please
contact Fran Gresley (0478 320 333 frances.gresley@dsc.wa.gov.au) or Denise Wettermann
(9301 3838 denise.wettermann@dsc.wa.gov.au).
How do I find out more or access future training opportunities?
Behaviour Support Consultants interested in attending More than Talking, Positive Behaviour
Support, PBS Tool Box or Behaviour Support Plan Development and Assessment 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
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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 .
Implementing Positive Behaviour Support in the disability sector
Strong interest continues to be shown in the disability sector concerning developments under
the Positive Behaviour Framework with a number of organisations identifying staff for
Behaviour Support Consultant (BSC) roles. For example One2One has recently identified a
BSC who will be attending a variety of training events in Positive Behaviour Support. Jodie
Smyth (UnitingCare West Manager of Community Options and BSC) was interviewed on
4 September 2014 about the journey of UnitingCare West (UCW) in implementing Positive
Behaviour Support within the organisation including the key factors for the successful
implementation of Positive Behaviour Support within the organisation. The information below
is from that interview.
“Educating staff about
UCW became involved with Positive Behaviour Support in
early 2013 through involvement in the Positive Behaviour
Framework Guiding Committee. In April 2013 UCW
attended training in the BSP-QEII delivered by the Victorian
Office of the Senior Practitioner. This was followed by
refresher training on the use of the BSP-QEII delivered by
the Commission in late 2013.
restrictive practices
and having open
conversations about
what could be done
differently had a
positive impact with
reducing the number
of restrictive practices
in place.”
(Continued over page)
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Soon after the April 2013 training UCW implemented an internal staff training package for
staff. The training covered person-centred planning, Positive Behaviour Support,
communication and restrictive practices. Staff were provided with a copy of the Code of
Practice for the Elimination of Restrictive Practices as well as the plain language version
so all people supported by the organisation were informed. Educating staff about
restrictive practices and having open conversations about what could be done differently
had a positive impact with reducing the number of restrictive practices in place.
In June 2013, the disability sector and the Commission collaborated to establish the
Behaviour Support Consultants Community of Practice group. The group provides
Behaviour Support Consultants with mutual support around the development of best
practice service principles, communication of progress of the Positive Behaviour
Framework, peer support and guidance and strengthening the role of panelling groups
within organisations. UCW has been an active member of this group since its inception.
In late 2013 UCW identified behaviour support champions who could promote Positive
Behaviour Support and demonstrate how it could be incorporated into everyday practice,
not only for supporting people with disability but throughout the organisation in other
services such as Mental Health and Youth. Jodie emphasised the importance of getting to
know the person, understanding our role as communication partners and using pro-active
intervention strategies. Jodie emphasised that providing people with the opportunity to
make decisions and have control over their own lives, promotes an individual’s capacity
to get their needs met, which helps reduce their need for challenging behaviour.
Jodie highlighted the key factors in successfully implementing Positive Behaviour Support
including:
 garnering support from the top down, with senior management leading cultural change
and intentionally investing in systemic change through support, policies, procedures,
training and resource provision.
 developing behaviour support champions with the skills to support people with disability
and staff in understanding challenging behaviour, including understanding the
importance of implementing pro-active strategies to enhance quality of life.
 starting small and celebrating successes and in this way gaining greater staff support to
affect greater change.
 training staff in relevant areas such as person-centred planning, Positive Behaviour
Support, communication and how to recognise and address restrictive practices.
In the second half of this year, UCW plans to build on Positive Behaviour Support
implementation by delivering more internal training designed for long-term Foster Carers
and support staff in the organisations Living Options and Community Options programs.
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What is happening in regional WA under the Positive Behaviour Framework?
South West Regional Expansion Project:
The organisations involved in the South West (SW) Regional Expansion Project continue to
carry out Positive Behaviour Panelling discussions and develop Behaviour Support Plans
where appropriate. Additional training in the BSP-QEII has been provided to the Behaviour
Support Consultants (BSCs) and their nominated backup person to ensure they have
received the same level of support as provided to the metropolitan based BSCs. A face to
face Steering Committee meeting was held in October, where the BSCs were provided with
information about how the project evaluation, which is now in its initial stages, will be carried
out. It is anticipated that there will be significant learning outcomes from this project on how
to implement and sustain positive behaviour support strategies and eliminate restrictive
practices in a regional environment. The regional BSCs have also been invited to contribute to
the research on Positive Behaviour Support currently underway in collaboration with
University of Western Australia (UWA). The October Steering Committee meeting was also
attended by the UWA Research facilitators who provided a useful update on the project.
The update below has been provided by Lorraine Allard from Strive Warren Blackwood.
“I would like to share what has been happening with Strive Warren Blackwood Inc since I
took over the Behaviour Support Consultant (BSC) role in May this year. Since then we
have completed more Restrictive Practices Audits. The restrictive practice audit provided
the opportunity to have conversations with families and support staff that would not have
otherwise taken place. Even when a restrictive practice was not identified, the contact
was of value to both the family and to Strive as it provided opportunities for families to talk
about other things that we could see that we may well easily and immediately improve on
such as simple environmental changes.
While having meetings and gathering evidence to put together a Behaviour Support Plan,
having an external member on the panel meetings involved in the process certainly brings
a fresh perspective to situations. Also having the panel meetings improves the
accountability of who is doing what and by when. Opportunities are provided for support
staff and co-ordinators to have more discussion together and a safe, encouraging
environment is provided for everyone to put their own ideas forward.
(Continued over page)
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Recently, ten Strive staff members benefitted from facilitators, Fran Gresley and Fiona
Burling, from the Commission’s Services directorate coming down to Bridgetown to
discuss, among other things, how to practically apply Positive Behaviour Support
strategies. The knowledge and experience they shared with us was invaluable.
At Strive we have experienced a lift in our awareness of how and what we are doing in
relation to Positive Behaviour Support and, importantly, why we are doing it. ”
Research 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.
An update has been provided below from the researchers involved in the project.
“Greetings, this is a brief update on the collaborative project looking at the
implementation of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) across regional and metro areas.
As you may know, the basic aim of the research project is see how organisations are
working to implement the PBS and achieve the desired outcomes of improved services
for their service users. We want to tap into the knowledge and experience that is being
built up by agencies participating in this exciting new approach, develop a closer
understanding of what works and what doesn’t and to share that knowledge with other
audiences.
(Continued over page)
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We have just completed a first wave of interviews with six disability service organisations
from both metropolitan and country regions, and we are already collecting some
interesting information about how PBS implementation is progressing. For one thing,
there is a variation in the experience of different organisations in their previous knowledge
and use of PBS. For some it’s a new approach, while for others it’s been something that
has been used and known about for some time. There are positives and negatives that
come with each of these histories. For organisations coming relatively fresh to PBS it is
exciting and inspiring, and the possibilities for using it to improve services and the lives of
people are enthusiastically being explored. The complexities and initial setting up of some
core aspects of PBS can also be daunting and requiring a redirection of organisational
goals and resources. For those more acquainted with PBS, there is recognition of the
quality improvement aspects of this approach to service delivery but this familiarity also
needs to be balanced by the need for ongoing innovation and improvement in how PBS
improves the quality of life outcomes for service users and the capacity of services to
deliver those outcomes.
So far the project is exploring these general themes and we will be collecting more
concrete information in the coming months when we visit service sites. We look forward to
meeting and hearing about your experiences of implementing PBS. ”
Mark Edwards
Christine Soo
Jose van den Akker
How is the Commission working with other stakeholders in the area of Positive
Behaviour Support?
The Commission is building capacity to support people who may display challenging
behaviour in a number of forums including in the private sector and in key learning
institutions. The Commission is also working in collaboration with other government
departments to further the knowledge and practice of Positive Behaviour Support.
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Connection with the Department of Education
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.
On the 5 August 2014, more than 100 people attended a forum held at the School of Special
Educational Needs (SSEND), Statewide Services Centre, Padbury. This forum described the
Commission’s and the Department’s development of the use of Positive Behaviour support to
date, including the key learning points arising from the project. The forum included
exploration of ways to bring the Commission’s and the Department’s journeys together to
ensure a holistic approach to the use of Positive Behaviour Support.
Training for Disability Services Commission and Education Department staff on Positive
Behaviour Support took place on 26 September 2014 at the pilot project site Yuluma Primary
School, Innaloo. The training on Positive Behaviour Support was jointly developed and
delivered by Mikel Wilson (Department of Education SSEND) and Lyn Weir (Behaviour
Support Service, Disability Services Commission). An overview of the project was presented
by Kim Pitts-Hill (Principal of Yuluma Primary School) and Jacki Hollick (Statewide Positive
Behaviour Strategy Manager Disability Services Commission).
Connection with Health
A presentation to Podiatry Alumni Association was made on 17 September 2014 at the
University of Western Australia by Commission Behaviour Support Service Team Leaders,
Laura Smitham and Sarah Davies, and Metropolitan Services Regional Manager, Calina
Montebello. The presentation included a brief overview of Positive Behaviour Support and
some practical strategies that may be used to support people with a disability seeking
podiatry services who may display challenging behaviours.
Connection with universities
Mia Huntley (Commission Behaviour Support Service Team Leader) and Kate Ollier
(Commission Behaviour Support Service Clinician) presented on the topic of Positive
Behaviour Support on 7 August 2014 to Murdoch University Masters of Clinical Psychology
students. The presentation was well received and generated keen interest, with students
requesting further information about Positive Behaviour Support. Further presentations were
discussed, with students expressing interest in student placements in the disability sector.
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Commission Behaviour Support Service Clinicians, Lauren Jerrat and Dr Monique Nesa
presented seminars at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup on an aspect of Positive
Behaviour Support, Functional Assessment, to a group of Masters of Clinical Psychology
students on 17 and 24 October 2014.
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What’s on in 2014–2015?
20 November 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 1pm
Location: Burswood on Swan, 1 Camfield Drive, Burswood
2015
Positive Behaviour Framework Forums
Further quarterly forums are planned for 2015. Dates of these forums will be
confirmed.
Previous Editions:
Previous editions of the Positive Behaviour Framework Disability Sector Update can be
found at http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/disability-service-providers-/for-disability-serviceproviders/behaviour-support-strategy/
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Appendix one
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Appendix two
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