Reframing Behaviour: What PBS Teaches Us About Distress
In Positive Behaviour Support, behaviour is never just a ‘problem’ to be fixed. It’s a form of communication. When someone we support is distressed, withdrawn, or engaging in behaviour that challenges, our job isn’t to stop the behaviour — it’s to understand what they’re trying to tell us.
🧠 Behaviour = Communication
Every action has meaning. In PBS, we train staff to ask:
- What might this person be trying to express?
- What need is going unmet?
- How can we adjust the environment or our support?
This mindset shift is fundamental. It replaces control with curiosity — and it’s especially powerful in learning disability services, where traditional communication may be limited.
🔍 Digging Into the 'Why'
When we observe a behaviour, we look beyond the surface:
- Is this about anxiety, sensory overload, pain, or confusion?
- Is something in the person’s routine or environment triggering stress?
- Has their communication method changed or broken down?
Staff should be trained not just to notice these signs but to record, reflect, and adapt. This often involves collaboration — families, behaviour specialists, support workers, and the person themselves all hold valuable insight.
📘 What This Means in Practice
When you truly understand behaviour, you can:
- Reduce distress through environmental changes (e.g. noise, lighting, transitions)
- Improve wellbeing by supporting better communication methods
- Prevent escalation by spotting and responding early to distress signs
It also creates a culture of dignity and respect — where people are listened to, not just managed.
📄 How to Evidence This in Tenders
When writing about PBS in bids, avoid abstract theory. Instead, show how your service:
- Recognises behaviour as communication at every level — from support workers to managers
- Uses person-centred planning to explore the causes of behaviour and adapt support
- Involves the person and those who know them best in identifying what works
Real examples speak volumes. Commissioners want to see how you translate insight into action.
💼 Rapid Support Products (fast turnaround options)
- ⚡ 48-Hour Tender Triage
- 🆘 Bid Rescue Session – 60 minutes
- ✍️ Score Booster – Tender Answer Rewrite
- 🧩 Tender Answer Blueprint
- 📝 Tender Proofreading & Light Editing
- 🔍 Pre-Tender Readiness Audit
- 📁 Tender Document Review
🚀 Need a Bid Writing Quote?
If you’re exploring support for an upcoming tender or framework, request a quick, no-obligation quote. I’ll review your documents and respond with:
- A clear scope of work
- Estimated days required
- A fixed fee quote
- Any risks, considerations or quick wins
🔁 Prefer Flexible Monthly Support?
If you regularly handle tenders, frameworks or call-offs, a Monthly Bid Support Retainer may be a better fit.
- Guaranteed hours each month (1, 2, 4 or 8 days)
- Discounted day rates vs ad-hoc consultancy
- Use time flexibly across bids, triage, library updates, renewals
- One-month rollover (fair-use rules applied)
- Cancel anytime before next billing date
🚀 Ready to Win Your Next Bid?
Chat on WhatsApp or email Mike.Harrison@impact-guru.co.uk
Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)