What is Behaviour Support?
Helping people understand behaviour and build better outcomes.
At Ember Health, we believe behaviour is a form of communication. When a person experiences challenges expressing their needs, emotions, wants or discomfort, these challenges can sometimes present as behaviours of concern.
Behaviour Support is a specialised NDIS-funded service designed to understand why behaviours occur and develop practical strategies that improve quality of life, participation, independence and wellbeing.
Rather than focusing on "stopping" a behaviour, Positive Behaviour Support aims to understand what is driving the behaviour and identify supports that help the person achieve their goals in a safer, more meaningful way.
We provide Positive Behaviour Support services to NDIS participants, families, carers, support workers, schools and service providers throughout Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane's western suburbs.
What are behaviours of concern?
A behaviour of concern is a behaviour that may place a person or others at risk, reduce their quality of life, or limit their ability to participate in everyday activities. Examples may include:
- Aggression towards others
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Property damage
- Repeated behaviours that impact safety or community participation
It's important to remember that behaviours of concern are not simply "bad behaviour". They often occur because a person is experiencing unmet needs, communication difficulties, sensory challenges, pain, trauma, anxiety, environmental stressors or other underlying factors. Understanding these factors is the first step towards creating positive and lasting change.
What does a Behaviour Support Practitioner do?
A Behaviour Support Practitioner works closely with the participant and the people around them to understand the factors influencing behaviour and develop strategies that improve outcomes. At Ember Health, our practitioners take the time to build genuine relationships and understand each person's unique strengths, goals, preferences and support needs.
A Behaviour Support Practitioner may:
- Conduct behaviour assessments
- Identify triggers and contributing factors
- Develop Positive Behaviour Support Plans
- Provide guidance to families and support teams
- Train and coach support workers
- Monitor progress and make recommendations
- Assist with restrictive practice reduction and elimination strategies
- Collaborate with schools, therapists, support coordinators and other providers
Our goal is always to create practical, realistic strategies that can be successfully implemented in everyday environments.
Restrictive practices in the NDIS
Restrictive practices are interventions or actions that restrict a person's rights or freedom of movement with the aim of preventing harm to themselves or others. Within the NDIS, restrictive practices are only used as a last resort when there is a significant risk of harm and after less restrictive strategies have been explored.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has strict rules around the use of restrictive practices to ensure the rights, dignity and wellbeing of people with disability are protected.
At Ember Health, we believe every person deserves support that promotes choice, independence and quality of life. Our role is to work with participants and support teams to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate restrictive practices through evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support.
Frequently asked questions
Who can make a referral?
Participants, family members, carers, support workers, support coordinators, schools and service providers are all welcome to refer. You can make a referral online or call us to talk it through first.
Who do you support?
We support both children and adults. We provide Positive Behaviour Support to NDIS participants with a broad range of disabilities, including psychosocial disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, dementia, and neurological conditions such as stroke, throughout Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane's western suburbs.
Where do sessions happen?
Our goal is strategies that work in everyday environments, so we work with participants and their support networks in homes, schools and community settings across our service area.
How is behaviour support funded?
Behaviour Support is a specialised NDIS-funded service. It is typically funded under Improved Relationships (behaviour support) in an NDIS plan. We can help you understand what your plan covers. Just ask when you get in touch.
Do you use restrictive practices?
Restrictive practices are only ever a last resort under strict NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission rules. Our role is to work with participants and support teams to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate restrictive practices through evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support.
Not sure what you need?
Talk it through with us. We'll help you work out whether Behaviour Support is the right fit.