What to Expect When Accessing a Behaviour Support Practitioner for the First Time

Starting behaviour support services can feel daunting, but Ivy Psychology makes the process straightforward and supportive. From completing an initial referral form to having your first consultation with an experienced practitioner.

Accessing behaviour support services can feel overwhelming, especially the first time. At Ivy Psychology we aim to make the process clear and supportive. Whether you are an NDIS participant, a family member, or a support worker, here is what to expect when you access a behaviour support practitioner with us for the first time.

What to expect, step by step

Step 1: Completing the referral form

The first step is completing our referral form, available on our website. It gathers the essential information about the participant, their needs, and the behaviours of concern, so we understand your situation and can work out how best to support you. You will be asked for:

• The participant's NDIS plan and goals
• Some clinical information, such as diagnoses
• Information about the behaviours of concern
• Contact details for the participant, family members, and any support workers involved

Once the form is submitted, our team reviews it and gets in touch to discuss next steps.

Ready to start?You can complete our behaviour support referral form at any time, and we will be in touch to talk through what happens next. Start a referral

Step 2: Signing a service agreement

Next we establish a service agreement, which sets out the expectations of both Ivy Psychology and the participant so everyone is on the same page. It covers:

• The scope of services Ivy Psychology provides
• The roles and responsibilities of the practitioner and the participant
• The frequency and duration of sessions
• Fees and funding arrangements under the NDIS
• Confidentiality and privacy
• How to give feedback and resolve concerns

Signing the agreement is a commitment from both sides to work together towards the participant's goals.

Step 3: Initial consultation

You will then have your first consultation with a registered behaviour support practitioner. This is an opportunity to get to know the participant, understand their needs, and begin the assessment. During this stage the practitioner will:

• Discuss the participant's goals and challenges
• Observe and seek to understand the behaviours of concern
• Gather detailed information from the participant, family, and support workers
• Review clinical documents, such as previous assessments and medical reports, usually beforehand
• Consult with others involved in the participant's care, including support workers, family, support coordinators, and other professionals

The goal is a well-rounded understanding of the participant's situation, which informs the Behaviour Support Plan.

Step 4: Assessment and developing a Behaviour Support Plan

Step 4 is the assessment itself: working out what is going on for the person, what the behaviours of concern are communicating, and what needs to change around them. What we learn then shapes a Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) written for that person. A behaviour support plan is an NDIS requirement for all participants receiving behaviour support funding.

The plan is tailored to the participant's needs, and typically includes:

• Proactive strategies to prevent behaviours of concern
• Response strategies to support the participant when behaviours occur
• Environmental modifications or adjustments
• Skill-building activities to promote positive behaviours
• The participant's existing functional communication strategies

The BSP is a living document that is reviewed and updated as the participant's needs evolve.

Step 5: Implementing the plan

Once finalised, the plan is put into practice. The practitioner works closely with the participant, their family, and support workers to make sure it is followed effectively. Ivy Psychology usually recommends a two-hour online training session, which can be recorded for future reference, since not everyone supporting the participant can always attend at the same time.

Our practitioners provide guidance and training to everyone involved in the participant's care, so each person understands their role. Regular communication and collaboration are key to success.

Step 6: Ongoing support, monitoring, and review

Behaviour support is an ongoing process. As the plan is implemented, the practitioner checks in regularly to assess progress, make adjustments, and address any new challenges. The plan is reviewed and updated as needed so it continues to meet the participant's goals, which is crucial for long-term outcomes.

Other things to consider

A lot of behaviour support happens away from the room. Face-to-face time with the participant and their support network is only one part of the work, and the rest is what makes those sessions useful. Under the NDIS, this non-face-to-face time is a legitimate and funded part of the service.

Work carried out between appointments typically includes:

• Collecting and reviewing data on any behaviours of concern
• Analysing that data to identify patterns, triggers, and what the behaviour is communicating
• Reviewing reports and clinical documents from other professionals
• Reviewing assessment results
• Writing the behaviour support plan and any interim plan
• Liaising with support coordinators, plan managers, families, and other providers
• Preparing training materials for the people implementing the plan

We will always be transparent about how time is being used, and you can ask your practitioner at any point what they are working on.

Restrictive practices

A restrictive practice is anything that limits a person's rights or freedom of movement, used with the intention of protecting them or others from harm. Under the NDIS, regulated restrictive practices fall into five categories: seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint, and environmental restraint. Some are more obvious than others. A locked pantry, medication given to manage behaviour rather than treat a diagnosed condition, or a support worker physically blocking someone from leaving are all restrictive practices, even when they are well intentioned.

If a restrictive practice is being used, or is being considered, a behaviour support practitioner has a specific role. We identify and document what is happening, assess whether it is necessary and proportionate, and make sure it is recorded in a behaviour support plan with the safeguards the NDIS requires. We then work with everyone involved on strategies that reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate the need for it, by changing the environment, building skills, and meeting the need the behaviour is expressing.

Restrictive practices are always a last resort, and they must be authorised in line with the rules in your state or territory and reported to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If you are not sure whether something happening in your home, school, or service counts as a restrictive practice, ask us. It is a common question and there is no wrong time to raise it.

In summary

Accessing a behaviour support practitioner for the first time can feel like a big step, but you will be well supported. From the initial referral through to ongoing support, our team guides you through each stage so the participant receives the best possible care.

Take the first stepIf you are ready to work with one of Ivy Psychology's behaviour support practitioners, start with our referral form and we will take it from there. Start a referral