WE EMPOWER LIVES.
HOW WE SUPPORT ADULTS.
We use a systematic approach to transform the lives of adults displaying challenging behaviour.
This involves us establishing a comprehensive understanding of their sensory, communicative and health needs, before proactively working with them, and their family members and care staff, to develop, implement and evaluate life-changing support plans.
WHO WE HELP.
We have extensive experience of working with adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems and autism who live in their own homes in the community, a residential care setting or a supported living environment.
As well as providing direct support to an adult to help them reduce their challenging behaviour and have a good quality of life, we work closely with and support the people who care for them.
We believe it’s critical that good PBS systems and strategies are in place within an organisation, and care professionals have the right PBS knowledge and skills, to ensure the best outcomes for an adult client.
In addition, professionals need to be proactive in the delivery of PBS, engaged with what it can achieve, and involved in its planning and delivery.
WHAT WE DO.
When we start to work with an adult who displays challenging behaviour, we use a tried and tested model.
First, we carry out a functional behavioural assessment that involves input from a client and the people who care for and support them.
This assessment helps us to identify the specific needs of a client and what behavioural interventions they may require from Positive Support Group.
In addition, the assessment also clearly pinpoints the training, systems and procedures that need to be put in place for services and care professionals to meet the client’s unique needs.
Support typically provided to an adult client
Teaching of skills that help to increase communication and independence.
Sensory assessments that explore any sensory processing issues a client may have and what adaptations may reduce the sensory triggers for the person.
Development of sensory diets (individually tailored programmes to meet the sensory needs of a person).
Planning and initiating activities that are meaningful to a person and help to make them happy.
Active support that helps a client to take part in everyday activities, regardless of their level of disability. This gives people more control, improves confidence and increases independence.
Support typically provided to care services and professionals
Setting up of data systems to monitor the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour.
Analysis of incidents and accidents and how a client reflected on their actions.
Development of total communication environments which may use a number of modes of communication, including signed, oral, auditory, written and visual aids.
Development of communication profiles that clearly set out a client’s language and communication abilities and needs, and the best strategies to use to facilitate communication.
Functional behaviour assessments to determine the underlying function or purpose of a behaviour. This leads to the development of positive behaviour support plans.
Training of staff in positive behaviour support, learning disabilities, autism and effective communication.
Undertaking of risk assessments to identify and analyse events that may potentially have a negative impact on a client. These assessments are also used to identify positive risk taking opportunities that could lead to personal change or growth for a client.
Establishing person-centred approaches and planning in an organisation so an individual’s personal needs, wants, desires and goals are central to the care provided.
Training a PBS champion in an organisation so they have advanced positive behaviour support skills and knowledge which they can pass on to other staff members.
OUR LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT.
Our work with an adult who displays challenging behaviour and the professionals who support them, typically results in the following positive outcomes:
Outcomes for an adult client
A reduction in the frequency and severity of their challenging behaviour.
A reduction in physical interventions to manage the client’s challenging behaviour.
A reduction in hospital admissions, which can amplify challenging behaviour.
Greater confidence and independence, and improved communication skills.
Better relationships with family members, professional carers and other people generally.
Improved mental and physical health and general wellbeing.
A better quality of life overall.
Outcomes for care services and professionals
Positive behaviour support is fully embedded and integral to a care service’s or professional’s offering.
Increased stability of clients and fewer placement breakdowns and unplanned moves from a service.
Improved interaction between professionals and clients, including more timely engagement and appropriate support.
Improved mental and physical health and general wellbeing of staff members.
Increased job satisfaction and a reduction in staff turnover.
An increase in ‘outstanding’ results following a CQC inspection.
Services are more likely to receive an Autism Accreditation award.
“The [PSG] behaviour analyst works proactively with family members, managers and support staff to support the management and reduction of behaviour patterns which challenge. The panel regard the service’s approach to behaviour support to be representative of good practice in the field.”
— Comment from National Autistic Society about a service that received an Autism Accreditation after receiving support from Positive Support Group