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

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 includesthe across-government review of the code at thePositive Behaviour Framework forum held27 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 > 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 transparencyfor organisations in the development of behavioural responses for people with disability who sometimes experience challenging behaviour.

Pictured above from the Positive Behaviour Framework forum held November 2013 are: Commission Behaviour Support Policy Officer Fran Gresley (left), Midwest Community Living AssociationBehaviour 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 developedbetweenBehaviour 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 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 . 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 apeer 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 ( 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

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 decision-making 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 restrictivealternative, 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 inter-rater 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

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 hasdesigned aBehaviour 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:

The Outcomes for the training are described below.

Behaviour Support Plans and Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation II Guide (BSP-QEII) 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).

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 personcentred behaviour support plan

•the core content areas to cover in a personcentred 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 personcentred 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 Bayand Department of Education.

Staff from Community Living AssociationInc who took part in the BSP and BSP-QEII Refresher Training. From left to right Eric GlassSenior Coordinator, Adrian ValleyPositive Support Manager, Maresa GraySenior Coordinator, and Anna WhitakerPositive Support Facilitator.

TheBehaviour 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.

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 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 or Jaquie Mills at

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 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. Thistraining 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.

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.

.