What Happens Before a Behaviour? Why Patterns Matter in PBS
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Behaviours of concern don’t come out of nowhere. They usually follow a pattern — and when staff know what to look for, they can take early, effective action.
🧩 The ABC of PBS
The Antecedent–Behaviour–Consequence (ABC) model helps support teams understand what’s driving behaviour. But commissioners don’t just want to know you understand it — they want to see how you apply it:
- What’s typically happening before a behaviour starts?
- Are there predictable triggers — noise, waiting, transitions, unknown people?
- How do staff respond to early signs to reduce the likelihood of escalation?
Mapping and discussing these patterns is what turns PBS from theory into action.
🔍 Turning Observation into Prevention
Spotting patterns doesn’t require specialist software or intensive assessment — just curiosity, consistency, and communication.
- Support workers might notice a person becomes withdrawn before mealtimes
- A key worker might realise behaviours increase after a change in staffing
- A family member might mention that specific phrases cause anxiety
In your tenders, highlight how your team works together to spot and respond to these clues.
🧠Learning, Adapting, Reflecting
It’s not enough to record what happened. Commissioners want to know how you learn from it. That might include:
- Regular PBS review meetings to update strategies
- Adaptations to routine, communication, or environment based on learning
- Training that helps staff link observations to proactive support
It’s about moving from reaction to prevention — and demonstrating that in your practice and paperwork.