Reduce immediate risk to the participant and others
Provide urgent behaviour support strategies
Guide staff and carers on how to respond safely to behaviours of concern
Ensure that restrictive practices, if used are only applied lawfully and as a last resort.
A Functional Behaviour Assessment is a structured, evidence-based process used to understand why a person engages in certain behaviours — particularly those that may be challenging or impact their daily life.
It identifies the triggers, functions, and maintaining factors of behaviour through observation, data collection, and collaboration with the person, their family, and their support team.
The goal is to understand the “function” of behaviour — whether it’s to gain attention, escape a situation, seek sensory input, or meet another unmet need.
An FBA is completed by a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner under the NDIS Positive Behaviour Support framework.
It helps to inform the development of a Behaviour Support Plan that promotes skill development, positive change, and reduction of restrictive practices.
A Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan is a detailed, clinically informed document developed by an NDIS-registered Behaviour Support Practitioner to guide how a person is supported when they display behaviours of concern.
It is developed after a Functional Behaviour Assessment and includes a deep understanding of the person’s history, diagnosis, environment, and triggers.
The CBSP outlines proactive, preventative, and responsive strategies designed to improve quality of life, reduce the occurrence of challenging behaviours, and ensure the person’s human rights are upheld.
The plan is person-centred, focusing on understanding the function of behaviour and promoting skill development, communication, and independence.
A CBSP details:
Behaviour descriptions (what the behaviours look like and when they occur)
Hypothesised functions (why the behaviours happen)
Proactive strategies to prevent behaviours of concern
Reactive strategies to ensure safety and reduce escalation
Skill-building goals to replace challenging behaviours with positive alternatives
Restrictive practice protocols (if applicable), in line with the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018
The CBSP must be uploaded to the NDIS Commission Portal (PRODA) and is regularly reviewed to ensure ongoing effectiveness and compliance.
Its ultimate aim is to enhance the person’s wellbeing, autonomy, and community participation while ensuring all supports are safe, consistent, and evidence-based.