Small Changes, Big Impact: How Everyday Adjustments Prevent Crisis in PBS
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In Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), it’s often the smallest, most human decisions that have the biggest impact. Proactive support doesn’t need to be flashy or complex — it just needs to be timely, thoughtful, and based on knowing the person well.
🔧 Proactive Doesn’t Mean Complicated
Think of the simple adjustments a skilled support worker might make during a typical day:
- Noticing when someone’s body language shifts and suggesting a quiet space
- Turning down the music before mealtime to reduce sensory overload
- Swapping the order of activities to avoid frustration after a difficult call
These aren’t dramatic interventions — they’re subtle shifts, made possible by staff who are tuned in and empowered to act. They can prevent escalation, reduce distress, and build trust.
đź“Š Make It Visible in Your Tenders
Commissioners want to see that your proactive support is real, not just aspirational. In your learning disability tender responses, explain how:
- Staff identify and respond to early signs of anxiety or discomfort
- Support is regularly adapted based on feedback from the person and their circle of support
- Small environmental or relational tweaks have made a measurable difference
You could include an anonymised example of a time when a minor adjustment — like changing a seating arrangement or allowing an item of comfort — prevented a behaviour of concern.
🌟 Proactive Culture, Not Just Practice
When proactive support becomes part of the organisational culture, it shows. Team meetings explore what’s working. Staff are encouraged to be observant and reflective. People supported know that their preferences are listened to and acted on.
This is what commissioners are funding: not just crisis management, but early support that avoids the need for it altogether.