When people hear the term “Behaviour Support Plan,” they often imagine something restrictive or disciplinary. In reality, an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan is a structured, person-centred document designed to improve quality of life, safety, and participation.
Behaviour Support Plans focus on understanding why behaviours occur and developing positive, practical strategies that support the individual and the people around them.
A Behaviour Support Plan, often referred to as a BSP, is developed by a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The purpose of a BSP is to:
Identify the reasons behind behaviours of concern
Reduce the likelihood of those behaviours occurring
Support skill development and positive engagement
Improve safety, wellbeing, and daily functioning
Importantly, Behaviour Support is not about control or punishment. It is about understanding, prevention, and support.
A Behaviour Support Plan may be appropriate for participants who:
Experience behaviours that place themselves or others at risk
Find it difficult to communicate needs or emotions
Feel overwhelmed in certain environments or situations
Require consistent strategies across home, school, work, or community settings
Behaviour Support can be suitable for children, adolescents, and adults, depending on individual needs and goals.
While every Behaviour Support Plan is individual, most plans include the following key components.
This section looks at:
When and where behaviours occur
What may trigger them
What the person may be communicating through their behaviour
This understanding forms the foundation of the entire plan.
Proactive strategies are designed to reduce the likelihood of behaviours of concern occurring in the first place. These may include:
Environmental adjustments
Communication supports
Predictable routines
Skill-building strategies
The goal is to create supportive conditions that meet the person’s needs.
Behaviour Support Plans often include strategies to help participants build new skills, such as:
Emotional regulation
Communication and self-advocacy
Coping strategies
Social interaction skills
These supports focus on long-term capacity building, not short-term fixes.
Reactive strategies provide guidance on how to respond if a behaviour of concern does occur. These strategies prioritise:
Safety
Respect
Least restrictive responses
They are designed to reduce escalation and support the person through difficult moments.
A Behaviour Support Plan often includes guidance for families, carers, and support workers so that strategies are applied consistently. This may involve:
Clear instructions
Practical examples
Ongoing support and review
Consistency across environments is key to successful outcomes.
A Behaviour Support Plan often includes guidance for families, carers, and support workers so that strategies are applied consistently. This may involve:
Clear instructions
Practical examples
Ongoing support and review
Consistency across environments is key to successful outcomes.
In some situations, restrictive practices may be used as a last resort to maintain safety. When this occurs, strict rules apply.
If a Behaviour Support Plan includes regulated restrictive practices, it must be developed and overseen in line with the requirements of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. These plans must be regularly reviewed and focus on reducing and, where possible, eliminating the use of restrictive practices over time.
Behaviour Support is typically funded under Capacity Building budgets such as Improved Relationships or Behaviour Support, depending on whether a participant has a legacy or PACE plan.
All supports must meet the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria and align with the participant’s goals.
Funding inclusion and levels are determined by the NDIA and may change at plan reviews.
A well-developed Behaviour Support Plan can:
Improve communication and understanding
Reduce stress for participants and their support networks
Increase independence and participation
Support safer, more positive daily experiences
When implemented consistently, Behaviour Support Plans help create meaningful, lasting change rather than short-term solutions.
Support Agency provides Behaviour Support services delivered by qualified practitioners who work collaboratively with participants, families, and support teams.
We focus on practical, respectful strategies that align with individual goals and promote positive outcomes.
If you are unsure whether Behaviour Support is right for you or someone you support, our team can help you understand your options and next steps.
Contact us today.