Welcome to the first Positive Behaviour Framework Disability Sector Update for 2012. This update is designed to inform the sector of developments under way in the continued roll-out of the Positive Behaviour Framework.

The framework is driven by the Disability Services Commission’s Count Me In: Disability Future Directions plan and is working to foster the participation and contribution of people with disability who sometimes display challenging behaviours. The framework does this by providing an agreed and documented values and evidence base. Through this, it is possible to support the development of personalised supports and services.

The framework was launched in 2009 and since that time, there have been several initiatives developed under this framework. These include:

the development (and evaluation) of two Positive Behaviour Teams in the Commission

the Disability Professional Services tender to develop a third Positive Behaviour Team in the sector (the Autism Association of WA successfully bid for this contract)

the commissioning of the report Towards Responsive Services For All by National Disability Services. This 2009 report contained nine key proposals designed to build additional capacity in the sector

the constitution of a cross-sector guiding committee that is working to implement these proposals. The guiding committee is chaired by a family member and includes peak bodies and disability sector organisations, listed below.

Positive Behaviour FrameworkDisability Sector Update

May 2012

1

Guiding committee

Name Representing Jaquie Mills Chair and parentJamie Smith Positive Behaviour In Action Interest GroupScott Davidson Rocky BayTracy Delamare Rocky BaySonia Hall TISHelen Payne My PlaceMichele Thomas Autism Association of WAStephan Van Vlijmen NulsenEd Mayvis Identity WACharlotte Van Der Burgt Lifestyle SolutionsAdam Sullivan Lady LawleyNihal Iscel Ethnic Disability Advocacy CouncilTaryn Harvey Developmental Disability CouncilJacqueline Reid Ministerial Advisory Council on DisabilityDavid Rogers National Disability Services Pam Haunold Valued Independent People Rel Morris Valued Independent People Kristy Moe Activ FoundationJay Simpson Activ FoundationGail Palmer Multiple Sclerosis Society of WASusan Hart Red CrossRob Holmes Council of Regional Disability ServicesShawn Taylor Perth Home Care Services

Disability Services Commission:Jill MacKenzie Service Contracting and DevelopmentVanessa Bird Statewide Specialist ServicesJames Gowland Local Area CoordinationNicola Weinman Community and Sector DevelopmentLinda Higgie Policy and StrategyMike Cubbage Behaviour Support Consultation team Jacki Hollick Positive Behaviour Strategy Fran Gresley Accommodation ServicesJessica Adderley Country Early Years Consultancy teamMonique Williamson Community and Sector Development

Some committee members have multiple roles with other organisations and associations and all work as ambassadors to spread the word about what’s happening under the framework. They can be approached to discuss developments under the Positive Behaviour Framework.

2

The guiding committee is working to implement the proposals that came out of sector consultations inform the report Towards Effective Services For All (see the Commission’s website under Positive Behaviour Strategy http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/forindividuals/pbs.html ). These proposals (and a brief progress report on their implementation) are listed below.

1. Family support services

It is proposed the sector’s future direction should involve development of responsive and tailored family support options for people with disability who may have episodes of intensive behaviour and cannot obtain services in existing organisations. Families under particular stress should be able to access a service that does not refuse or shorten the service period.

2. Improve mental health outcomes

It is proposed future directions for relevant agencies and the disability sector should involve developing appropriate strategies to improve mental health outcomes for people with disability in the following three areas:

Access to timely and responsive treatment for people with disability and mental illness.

Access to support in acute crisis situations promoting intensive intervention models, where the person is able to remain in the least restrictive environment.

Promoting research, expertise and information in relation to the impact and treatment of mental illness in people with disability.

Implementation planThe Developmental Disability Council received funding in September 2011 to develop a family-to-family mentoring and support program and has appointed a project officer. The primary objective of this approach is to build the resilience of families supporting family members who are exhibiting behaviour that might be seen as challenging. This is done through the support, family mentoring, leadership and advocacy of another family that has had similar experiences. With appropriate training and guidance, the family feels it is in a position to offer this type of support to other families.

Implementation planConnections have been built with the Mental Health Commission. Guiding committee members have also worked with a mental health area service to improve access and service responsiveness to the needs of people with disability. Work will continue to progress in this area in 2012.

3

3. Development of best practice service principles

It is proposed future directions for the Commission, in partnership with disability sector organisations, involve developing best practice service principles in Positive Behaviour Support. This would include a list of service attributes in relation to supporting people whose behaviour is seen as challenging. These underpinning principles and attributes can be used to evaluate individual service capacity and targeted service development strategies.

4. Flexible and timely funding strategy

It is proposed the Disability Services Commission, in consultation with the sector, continues to review and develop funding streams, acknowledging support levels can fluctuate significantly for some individuals over time. A person-centred approach, where resources can taper off over time as a person’s situation is stabilised, should be considered.

5. Targeted sector development

It is proposed future directions for the Disability Services Commission and the sector involve working together to develop strategies. These may include prioritising targeted resource allocation to develop and maintain infrastructure required to provide responsive services to people with challenging behaviour. This infrastructure would include:

ongoing investments in the workforce developing service culture staff stability and consistency staff supervision professional advice individualised service design training and professional development.

Implementation planA consultative project has been completed, exploring elements of effective service design. The report was presented at a forum on 17 and 18 November 2011 and was well-received by the sector. The report captured what the sector considers to be the elements of good service design. Those consulted agreed getting services right, in the first place, is an important first step in reducing the incidence of challenging behaviours and the consequent widespread use of restrictive practices in the sector. This paper has guided the development of a policy framework to support voluntary disability sector-wide engagement in the elimination of restrictive practices.

Not in scope or under consideration at present.

4

6. Interdisciplinary teams

It is proposed support to disability sector organisations through interdisciplinary behaviour support teams is expanded by:

extending available hours of the current behaviour support help-desk further placing the positive behaviour team model into disability sector

organisations to ensure optimal outcomes are achieved, based on ongoing evaluation and evidence-based practice.

7. Disability sector policy and guidelines

It is proposed future directions for the Commission, in partnership with disability sector organisations, involve developing and promoting guidelines to facilitate better standards and consistent practice. It would be applied in restrictive practices, medications policies, organisations’ behaviour policies and positive behaviour support practices.

Implementation planThe Commission sought proposals from disability sector organisations participating as members of the guiding committee to undertake a 12-month project to explore models of disability sector workforce development. The objectives are to construct and evaluate a workforce development and staff training framework in Positive Behaviour Support for senior/supervisory frontline staff, based on current best practice. Project partnerships were sought across service types (Accommodation, Respite and Alternatives to Employment) to foster collaboration in workforce development strategies and accountability tools to inform and influence sector development. Nulsen, VIP and Red Cross (Lady Lawley Cottages) were successful in securing funding in July 2011 and have been reporting progress in recent sector forums. A final report will be prepared for release in October 2012.

Implementation planAs an integral component of the framework, two Positive Behaviour Teams have been established (in Joondalup and Myaree). They provide early intervention and support to families of people with disability aged 6–25 who sometimes display challenging behaviours. These teams have recently been evaluated by Deakin University with positive outcomes demonstrated for people with disability and their families. Disability Professional Services funding has been released to the sector for further growth of Positive Behaviour Teams. The Autism Association of WA is the successful tenderer.

5

8. Regional and remote services

It is proposed partnerships with regional and remote disability sector organisations and the Behaviour Support Consultation Team be considered to explore targeted cost-effective solutions to improve capacity in rural and remote areas on a case-by-case, region-by-region basis. Pilot projects are encouraged.

9. Across government collaborative responses

It is proposed key stakeholders investigate, apply and evaluate strategies to improve outcomes for people with disability in complex situations requiring across-government responses (such as the People with Exceptionally Complex Needs [PECN] project).

Implementation planThe use of restrictive practices may reflect a failure in the service system to understand the nature and function of an individual’s behaviour. These practices have emerged over time and have remained difficult for services to eradicate. The guiding committee is currently working on a policy framework to support voluntary disability sector-wide engagement in the elimination of restrictive practices. A series of writing workshops were held in 2011 and a forum was run on 17 and 18 November 2011 inviting sector feedback. Further events are scheduled this year to launch the framework and, with input from the sector, to jointly develop implementation strategies required to alter current practices.

Implementation planWork exploring staff e-learning opportunities and workforce development strategies to support regional and remote services has started. This area will receive more detailed attention to develop relationships with the tertiary education sector and consolidate behaviour services within the Commission.

Implementation planConnections have been made with the PECN project and the Disability Forensic Working Group (which has Department of Justice representation). Work is progressing on models of support for people who require more structured and intensive support to reduce recidivism risks.

6

What’s on in 2012

All dates and venues are subject to confirmation. Confirmation notices will be sent to chief executive officers of disability sector organisations before the scheduled events.

Recently completed events

21 February 2012

29 February 2012

Launch of the evaluation reports on the Positive Behaviour Team approach

Impact, effectiveness and future application of Positive Behaviour Teams in the provision of disability support services in Western Australia.

Associate ProfessorKeith R McVilly (right), Principal Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

Substantive Equality Reporton the Positive Behaviour Teams.

Ms Cathy Groves (left),Manager of the Substantive Equality Unit, Equal Opportunity Commission.

7

Coming up

Workshop for chief executiveofficers and senior managers withProfessor Eric Emerson (right), Professor of Disability and Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK, and Visiting Professor, Australian Family and Disability Studies Research Collaboration, University of Sydney.

Topic:Challenging Behaviours and Restrictive Practices: Evidence-based contemporary approaches.

What is happening and what needs to happen in Western Australia?

8

July 2012

October 2012

Sector forumThis forum looks at designing services to meet the needs of people whose behaviour can sometimes be challenging and includes:

interim findings of the Sector and Workforce Development Project

release of the policy framework to support voluntary disability sector-wide engagement in the elimination of restrictive practices

family-to-family support: presentation of a new model of supporting families sometimes experiencing challenging behaviours

new Positive Behaviour Framework pilot projects for 2012.

Sector ForumFinal Report of the Sector and Workforce Development Project. What

does the evidence say about the possibilities for organisational capacity to support people whose behaviour is sometimes challenging? What is the possible way ahead in terms of:

staff development

workforce structure

Positive Behaviour Support strategies

future training in Positive Behaviour Support?

Implementing the elimination of restrictive practices policy framework.

Prescription and approvals processes

Data Collection requirements

Links to the Quality Management Framework.

Future tertiary level training in Positive Behaviour Support.

9

Positive Behaviour Framework feedback

We would be grateful if you were able to give us some feedback.

After almost two years of working together, the guiding committee would love to know what you have heard about the Positive Behaviour Framework, the projects taking place and whether you have seen any influence of this work in your organisation?

Please take a moment and return this email to us at the address listed below and let us know your thoughts.

1. Had you heard about the Positive Behaviour Framework? Yes No

If yes, what is your understanding of the purpose of the framework?

2. Had you heard about the guiding committee? Yes No

If yes, what is your understanding of the role of the committee?

3. Did you know anything about the pilot projects described Yes No in this update?

4. Has the work of the guiding committee or the projects Yes No influenced the way you or your organisation work?

If yes, how?

5. Was this update useful or interesting? Yes No

What was useful?

What wasn’t?

Please return to: michael.cubbage@dsc.wa.gov.au by the end of June 2012.

Thank you.

10