Positive Behaviour Support
Individuals supported by The Kent Autistic Trust have access to
our internal Positive Behaviour Support Team.
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About Us
The Kent Autistic Trust has always had a clear philosophy regarding the support of those who experience distress and may show behaviours of concern, and this is embedded throughout training and practice.
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We believe in being non aversive. Without exception.
We will respond to behaviour sensitively using low arousal approaches, but we will always place the emphasis on being proactive rather than reactive, and use positive motivation to elicit positive behaviours.
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What is PBS?
Sometimes anxiety, frustration, wants and needs manifest as “behaviours of concern”.
This can be very stressful for the individual, staff and families and can have a real impact on people’s safety, emotional wellbeing and community presence.
In order to support a person whose behaviour challenges we look to understand why the person is behaving the way they are and what skills they need in order to achieve this in more appropriate ways.
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Positive Behaviour Support - is a combination of approaches based on:
Understanding that all behaviour happens for a reason and making the effort to find out
what purpose it is serving for the person.
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A focus on proactive interventions to avoid behaviours of concern occurring, rather than reactive or restrictive measures.
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A focus on teaching the individual skills that achieve the same outcomes as their behaviour, so that they don’t have to do it anymore.
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Providing person centred support, with a strong focus on human rights, citizenship and community presence
Positive Behaviour Support is an approach where the main focus is not actually on the persons behaviour but on increasing their quality of life. A very fortunate side effect of striving to provide a great quality of life is a reduction in the frequency and severity of behaviours of concern.
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The Team
The Positive Behavioural Support team comprises of five staff who specialise in behavioural, communication
and sensory support. We are committed to integrating the principles of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS)
into every aspect of the service provided to the people we support.
Tamsin Gregory-Conquest
Head of PBS
Paul Cairns
PBS Practice Lead
Jodie Ray
Communication Practice Lead
Justin Isherwood
Occupational Therapist
Carmel Tucker
PBS Team Admin Apprentice
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Services We Provide:
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Proactive / reactive strategies
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Observations and trouble shooting
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Full functional assessment of behaviours of concern.
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Behavioural data collection and analysis
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PASADD assessment—screening of mental health symptoms in people with a developmental disability
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In house coaching in implementing communication systems (e.g. Picture Exchange Communication System, social stories)
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Occupational Therapy assessments
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Sensory assessment and support to implement recommendations
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Sensory equipment available for demonstration and trialling
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Medical equipment desensitization kits and support
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Restrictive Practice awareness and audit sessions
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Autism Specialist observation audits
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In House Training Including:
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Autism Awareness
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Positive Behaviour Support, Functional analysis and multi element model
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Sensory awareness
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Communication techniques and visual aids
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Teaching skills (functionally equivalent to a behaviour or coping / tolerance skills)
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Studio III training – low arousal theory and non-aversive physical intervention