Reviewing and Adjusting Your NDIS Behaviour Support Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the NDIS can be complex, especially when it comes to Behaviour Support Plans. These plans are crucial for Participants with complex needs, aiming to improve their quality of life and reduce behaviours of concern. But a plan isn't a static document; it needs to evolve with the Participant. This blog post provides a step-by-step guide to reviewing and adjusting your NDIS Behaviour Support Plan, ensuring it remains relevant and effective.

See our complete NDIS Complex Behaviour Support guide for a deeper dive into the fundamentals of Behaviour Support within the NDIS framework.

Why Review and Adjust Your Behaviour Support Plan?

Life changes. A Participant's needs, environment, and circumstances can all shift significantly over time. What worked six months ago might not be effective now. Regular review and adjustment are essential to:

• Ensure Ongoing Effectiveness: If the plan isn't achieving its goals, it needs tweaking.
• Reflect Changing Needs: New behaviours of concern may emerge, or existing ones may lessen.
• Improve Quality of Life: The ultimate aim is to help the Participant live a more fulfilling and independent life.
• Promote Safety: An updated plan helps ensure the safety of the Participant and those around them.
• Meet NDIS Requirements: The NDIS expects plans to be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.

Key NDIS Considerations

Before diving into the steps, let's consider some important NDIS principles related to Behaviour Support Plans:

• Person-Centred Approach: The Participant is at the heart of the plan. Their goals, preferences, and perspectives are paramount. This includes considering the views of their family and chosen supports.
• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): The NDIS favours PBS approaches, which focus on understanding the reasons behind behaviours of concern and teaching new skills. Restrictive practices are only used as a last resort, and with strict safeguards.
• Informed Consent: Any intervention outlined in the plan requires informed consent from the Participant (if they have the capacity) or their nominee.
• Qualified Professionals: Behaviour Support Plans must be developed and implemented by qualified and registered Behaviour Support Practitioners. These practitioners must be registered with the NDIS Commission.
• Funding: Behaviour Support falls under Capacity Building Supports in your NDIS Plan, specifically 'Improved Relationships.' Check your Plan to ensure you have sufficient funding allocated.
• NDIS Commission Oversight: The NDIS Commission plays a crucial role in regulating behaviour support and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Participants. They maintain a register of Behaviour Support Practitioners and investigate concerns.

Practical Steps for Reviewing and Adjusting Your Plan

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Initiate the Review

• Regular Scheduled Reviews: Your Behaviour Support Plan should have a schedule for regular reviews (e.g., every 6 months, or more frequently if needed).
• Trigger Events: Reviews should also be triggered by significant events, such as:
  • A change in the Participant's living situation (e.g., moving house).
  • A significant change in the Participant's health.
  • An increase or change in behaviours of concern.
  • Feedback from Support Workers or family indicating the plan isn't working.
• Contact Your Behaviour Support Practitioner: Reach out to the Practitioner who developed the plan to schedule a review meeting. If you're unhappy with your current practitioner, you have the right to choose a new one.

Step 2: Gather Information and Data

• Collect Data: Consistent data collection is vital. This includes recording the frequency, intensity, and duration of behaviours of concern, as well as the context in which they occur (antecedents and consequences).
• Seek Feedback: Gather feedback from everyone involved in supporting the Participant, including:
  • The Participant (if they can provide input).
  • Family members.
  • Support Workers.
  • Therapists (e.g., Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist).
  • School or workplace staff.
• Review the Existing Plan: Familiarize yourself with the current goals, strategies, and restrictive practices (if any) outlined in the plan.

Step 3: Conduct the Review Meeting

• Invite Key Stakeholders: Ensure all relevant people are present at the meeting.
• Discuss Progress: Review the data collected and discuss whether the plan is achieving its goals. Be honest about what's working and what's not.
• Identify Barriers: Discuss any barriers to the plan's implementation or effectiveness.
• Brainstorm Solutions: Work together to brainstorm potential adjustments to the plan. This might involve:
  • Changing strategies to address specific behaviours.
  • Introducing new skills training.
  • Adjusting environmental factors.
  • Modifying restrictive practices (with appropriate safeguards and NDIS Commission approval).
• Document the Meeting: Keep detailed notes of the discussion and any agreed-upon changes.

Step 4: Update the Plan

• Your Behaviour Support Practitioner is responsible for updating the plan based on the review meeting. The updated plan should clearly outline:
  • Revised goals and objectives.
  • Adjusted strategies and interventions.
  • A clear implementation plan, including roles and responsibilities.
  • A data collection system to monitor progress.
  • Details of any restrictive practices (with justifications and safeguards).
• Ensure the plan is accessible: The updated plan should be shared with all relevant people in an accessible format (e.g., plain language, visual aids).

Step 5: Implement and Monitor the Updated Plan

• Train Support Workers: Provide adequate training to Support Workers on how to implement the updated plan effectively. This includes understanding the rationale behind the strategies and how to respond to behaviours of concern safely and respectfully.
• Consistent Implementation: Ensure the plan is implemented consistently across all settings.
• Ongoing Data Collection: Continue to collect data to monitor the plan's effectiveness.
• Regular Communication: Maintain regular communication between the Participant, family, Support Workers, and the Behaviour Support Practitioner.

Step 6: Seek External Support (If Needed)

• NDIS Commission: If you have concerns about the quality of behaviour support or the use of restrictive practices, you can contact the NDIS Commission.
• Disability Advocacy services: Disability Advocacy services can provide support and guidance throughout the process.
• Independent Support Coordinator: A Support Coordinator can help you navigate the NDIS and connect with appropriate services.

Conclusion

Reviewing and adjusting your NDIS Behaviour Support Plan is an ongoing process that requires collaboration, communication, and a commitment to improving the Participant's quality of life. By following these steps and staying informed about your rights and responsibilities, you can ensure that the plan remains relevant, effective, and person-centred. Remember to advocate for the Participant's needs and work closely with qualified professionals to achieve positive outcomes.