What is Behaviour Support?
Behaviour support is a specialised service that helps people with disability live a fuller, more comfortable life — by understanding why certain behaviours happen and making practical changes to support them.
It's not about controlling behaviour or making someone "comply." It's about asking: what is this person trying to tell us, and how can we make their world work better for them?
Every behaviour is communication
When someone is distressed, overwhelmed, or struggling to get their needs met, behaviour is often how they express it — especially if they find communication difficult.
Behaviour support starts by looking at the whole picture: the person's history, their environment, their relationships, their routines, and what might be making things harder than they need to be. From there, a Behaviour Support Practitioner works with the person and their team to understand what's driving the behaviour and what changes can help.
What does a Behaviour Support Practitioner actually do?
A Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) is a trained professional who works alongside the person with disability, their family, and their support team. Their role includes:
Getting to know the person and understanding their life, strengths, and challenges
Observing and gathering information about what's happening and when
Working with families and support workers to identify patterns and triggers
Developing a personalised Behaviour Support Plan with practical, positive strategies
Training and guiding the people who support the person day-to-day
Reviewing and adjusting the plan over time as things change
What is a Behaviour Support Plan?
A Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) is a written document tailored specifically to one person. It explains why certain behaviours occur, what helps, what doesn't, and exactly how support workers and family members can respond in a consistent, caring way.
The goal is always to improve the person's quality of life — not just to manage difficult moments, but to reduce the likelihood of those moments happening in the first place.
Is this funded through the NDIS?
Yes. Behaviour support is funded under the NDIS as a Capacity Building support. If a participant has behaviour support funding in their plan, they can access a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner like our team at Social Work & Co.
If you're not sure whether this is included in your or your loved one's plan, your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator can help you check.
What behaviour support is not
Behaviour support is not punishment, discipline, or control. It is grounded in respect, curiosity, and the belief that every person deserves to be understood.
Under the NDIS, all behaviour support must be delivered within a Positive Behaviour Support framework — meaning strategies must be evidence-based, dignity-preserving, and focused on long-term wellbeing.
An example of what to expect during the first year of working with a Behaviour Support Practitioner— shown as a figure eight, as the process is continual and evolves over time.