Proactive Support Strategies: The Heart of Positive Behaviour Support
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Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) starts before anything goes wrong. Proactive strategies are the quiet actions that prevent distress, support communication, and build trust every day.
🌱 What Are Proactive Support Strategies?
They’re the things we put in place to help people feel safe, understood, and in control — long before behaviour becomes a challenge. These strategies include:
- Clear, consistent routines
- Preferred activities built into the day
- Visual schedules, objects of reference, or communication tools
- Opportunities for autonomy and choice
- Time and space when someone is overloaded
They’re highly individual. What calms or empowers one person may trigger another — so proactive strategies must be tailored and person-centred.
đź’ˇ Why They Matter
Commissioners and inspectors are no longer impressed by reactive behaviour plans alone. They want to see proactive and preventative work that reduces the likelihood of distress in the first place.
Proactive support shows a deep understanding of the person — and a commitment to their wellbeing, not just crisis response.
đź“ť What to Include in Tenders and CQC Evidence
When describing PBS in tenders or inspections, highlight:
- How you gather proactive strategies through assessment and observation
- How you train staff to recognise early signs and triggers
- How these strategies are built into daily routines and care plans
- Any positive outcomes — such as reduced incidents, increased engagement, or better relationships
Don’t just describe what you do — explain why it works for that individual.
❤️ The Takeaway
Proactive support isn’t soft. It’s skilled, thoughtful, and evidence-based. And it’s where PBS makes its biggest difference — before things go wrong.