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As a registered NDIS provider, Mindspace offers customised services to support participants and their support network, through understanding the person, problem-solving challenging behaviour, and empowering participants to live independently and engage fully within their community.
We provide various positive behaviour support services, including assessments, observations, reports, collaboration and intervention. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practitioners will work with you and your main supports in a person-centred, proactive, and in strength-based ways, to address concerns, mitigate risks, understand the function of the behaviour by discovering how unmet needs lead to further understanding, and improved support services.
Behaviours of concern can mean that a person may not be able to achieve what they want. Others may not understand the behaviour. Sometimes, they may even worry about their safety. This tension can create a barrier that limits community access. It can stop people from attending school, work or social situations. Sometimes, it can even become a barrier to spending time with their family. These issues can signal that it’s time to bring people together to learn more about the behaviour and the possibilities for things to be different.
We explore those issues and try to determine the underlying reasons for a person’s behaviour. What is the cause? We look into what happened before the behaviour. We observe the behaviour and try to learn more about what is happening for the person at that moment. We also look at the consequences of the behaviour. Once these factors are understood, we can develop strategies with a person and their family.
We use what is known as “a person-centred approach,” especially during the initial few sessions of rapport building. That could mean providing a safe environment so people can relax and speak without fear of judgment. They can tell us their story. We work on a case-by-case basis and adjust our process to what is required. No two people are the same, even if they have similar behaviours. Their needs might vary considerably. We tailor our work to what’s going to work for the individual.
What is most important for us is that the person with the behaviours of concern feels heard and understood. This is the basis for building rapport and working together. From this basis, understanding can grow, and we can meet the participant’s needs. This clarity can lead to a point of transformation. Progress, even in little things, can significantly impact the quality of life for people and their families.
We work on a case-by-case basis, tailoring our meetings to understand the circumstances, and what supports are required. Here is a description of what appointments with this service could look like. The duration of each appointment will vary according to availability, wellness, if restrictive practices need to be reported, and the participant’s NDIS plan.
At these meetings, we communicate critical information like progress goals or future interventions so everyone understands the plan. Sometimes, we will call after a session to discuss observations or ask follow-up questions. This conversation allows us to work with key people to problem-solve and gather crucial information and data. There is a sense that we are all working together to achieve a good outcome
In the first meeting, we focus on learning about the background and history of the person we work with. Is there anything that could have potentially led to these behaviours? We also learn about the behaviours that are creating problems.
Building Rapport
We then move into a rapport-building period, which could be an hour or as long as an hour and a half. Although it might appear light and social, establishing a sense of connection is essential to working together.
Gaining Insight Through Observation (30-90mins)
Once people are comfortable with us, we move on to collecting data, which is observing behaviours in different settings. This process aims to build a deeper understanding of the person and the behaviours that limit their quality of life.
Family Feedback and Follow-Up
The degree of communication varies with each person’s needs. For example, a participant with complex needs or behaviour of concern might require monthly or weekly meetings with the whole team. This gathering could include guardians, parents, or family members who are very close to them. It could also include anyone regularly involved, such as trusted support workers.
These are the services you will be invoiced for within your NDIS plan.
