Positive behaviour supports in disability and community services (PBS-DCS): a tiered model for foundational, targeted, and specialist supports

Purpose: Positive behaviour support (PBS) is recommended as a service response to challenging behaviours. In Australia, however, there has been concern regarding PBS policy and implementation. In response, this article proposes a tiered PBS service model for disability and community settings, which is evidence-based and rights-driven. 

Materials and methods: Relevant literature, policy guidelines, and clinical experience are used to inform a positive behaviour support service model for community implementation. 

Results: The Positive Behaviour Support in Disability and Community Service (PBS-DCS) model articulates systems-wide practices that support effective PBS provision within a human rights approach. The model describes three tiers of behaviour support: Tier I (Foundational), Tier II (Targeted), and Tier III (Specialist), and considers who should deliver which intervention elements and when. 

Conclusions: The PBS-DCS model provides a framework to support quality PBS practice in community settings. It is proposed that a proof-of-concept model of community-based PBS should be investigated—and that this would help to ensure current practice aligns with the professional expectations of PBS and deliver high quality services to people living with disability.