Behavioural Support Plans (BSPs) are critical tools in managing challenging behaviours, addressing problematic behaviours, or promoting positive behaviour—particularly in individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions. These plans are designed to improve quality of life by reducing problematic behaviours and enhancing positive ones, through a process of assessment, intervention, and continuous monitoring. Effective BSPs provide structured approaches to understanding and addressing the unique behavioural needs of each individual, ensuring personalised and effective strategies are implemented.
But when it comes to Behaviour Support Plans, two key types of BSPs are commonly presented: comprehensive behaviour support plans and interim support plans. But what is the difference between a comprehensive and interim behaviour support plan? In this post, we break down the differences between the two types of BSPs, their respective strengths, and when either is most appropriate.
Comprehensive Behavioural Support Plans
Comprehensive behavioural support plans are long-term strategies developed to manage and modify problematic behaviour of an individual.These plans are typically developed in cohort with a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, therapists, educators, and family members, following a thorough assessment of the individual’s behaviour and environment. The comprehensive approach involves multiple stakeholders (like healthcare professionals, educators, family members, and the individual themselves) as well as detailed, data-driven methods, ensuring a complete and detailed plan. This holistic strategy encompasses various aspects of the individual’s life, aiming for sustainable behavioural changes.
Key Components:
- Detailed Behaviour Assessment: This involves a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) to understand the underlying causes of the behaviour.
- Identification of Triggers and Reinforcers: Recognising what triggers the problematic behaviours and what reinforces them is crucial.
- Specific Behavioural Goals: Setting clear, measurable goals for behaviour change.
- Strategies for Achieving Goals: These can include:
- Altering Environmental Factors: Modifying the physical or social environment to reduce triggers.
- Teaching New Skills: Introducing and reinforcing new, positive behaviours to replace problematic ones.
- Implementing Reinforcement Systems: Using positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviours.
Benefits:
- Structured Approach: Provides a systematic method to address behaviour issues.
- Long-Term Impact: Designed to bring about sustainable behavioural change.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Improves social interactions and overall well-being.
Example: An NDIS positive behaviour support plan for an individual with autism might involve strategies for managing sensory overload, teaching social skills, and implementing a reward system for positive behaviour.
Interim Behavioural Support Plans
Interim behaviour support plans, on the other hand, are short-term strategies designed to manage immediate behavioural crises.These plans are typically implemented when there is an urgent need to address severe or dangerous behaviours, ensuring that immediate safety concerns are handled effectively. Interim plans are essential in situations where behaviours pose a significant risk to the individual or others, and quick action is necessary to prevent harm.
Key Components:
- Identification of Immediate Risks: Recognising behaviours that pose immediate danger to the individual or others.
- Short-Term Behavioural Goals: Establishing temporary goals to stabilise the situation.
- Crisis Management Strategies: These may include:
- De-escalation Techniques: Methods to calm the individual and prevent escalation.
- Temporary Environmental Changes: Modifying the environment to reduce immediate stressors.
- Emergency Interventions: Using immediate, necessary interventions such as close supervision or temporary medication adjustments.
Benefits:
- Immediate Relief: Quickly addresses urgent behavioural issues.
- Safety: Ensures the safety of the individual and those around them.
Example: An interim support plan might be developed for an individual exhibiting severe self-injurious behaviour, including strategies like close supervision, distraction techniques, and temporary medication adjustments.
Comparing Comprehensive and Interim Behavioural Support Plans
While both comprehensive and interim behavioural support plans aim to manage challenging behaviour, they differ in their scope, duration, and focus. These differences are crucial in determining the most appropriate plan for each situation. Comprehensive plans are long-term and proactive, focusing on promoting positive behaviour change. In contrast, interim plans are short-term and reactive, focusing on managing immediate behavioural crises.
Comprehensive Behavioural Support Plans:
- Scope: Broad, encompassing various aspects of the individual’s life.
- Duration: Long-term, often involving continuous monitoring and adjustment.
- Focus: Proactive and preventative, aiming to foster positive behavioural changes over time.
Interim Behavioural Support Plans:
- Scope: Narrow, focusing on immediate behavioural crises.
- Duration: Short-term, designed to stabilise the situation quickly.
- Focus: Reactive, addressing urgent issues to provide immediate relief and safety.
Choosing between a comprehensive and interim behavioural support plan depends on the individual’s needs and circumstances. For ongoing behavioural issues that require a thorough and detailed approach, a comprehensive plan is most suitable. It is designed to address the root causes of behaviour and promote long-term change. On the other hand, interim plans are essential for managing immediate crises, providing short-term relief and safety measures until a more detailed, comprehensive plan can be developed.
- Comprehensive Plans: Best for managing ongoing behavioural issues and promoting long-term behaviour change. Ideal for situations where behaviours are chronic and require a thorough, detailed approach.
- Interim Plans: Best for managing immediate behavioural crises and providing short-term relief. Essential for situations requiring urgent intervention to ensure safety.
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2/201 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina, 4226
Gold Coast, Queensland
In conclusion, both comprehensive behavioural support plans and interim support plans play vital roles in behaviour management. Each type of plan is designed to address specific situations, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate level of support when they need it most. Comprehensive plans offer a detailed, long-term approach to fostering positive behavioural change, while interim plans provide immediate solutions to urgent behavioural crises, ensuring safety and stability.
The choice between these two types of plans should be guided by the individual’s specific needs and circumstances, taking into consideration the severity and duration of the behavioural issues, as well as the immediate risks involved. By carefully assessing these factors, caregivers and professionals can develop the most effective strategy to support the individual’s behavioural health.
As we navigate the complexities of behaviour management, it’s important to remember the power of well-crafted, person-centred support plans in promoting positive behaviour change. These plans not only address problematic behaviours but also enhance the individual’s overall quality of life by providing tailored interventions that meet their unique needs.
Whether it’s a comprehensive plan to manage ongoing behavioural issues, or an interim plan to address immediate crises, the right behavioural support plan can make a significant difference in improving behaviour and enhancing quality of life. At Therapy Partners, we are committed to providing both comprehensive and interim behavioural support plans, tailored to the specific needs of each individual. To get started with your comprehensive or interim behaviour support plan, click the referral button below.
