Why Commissioners Value PBS in Tenders (Even if They Don’t Always Say It Clearly)

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PBS Is an Expectation, Not Just a Buzzword

Commissioners may not always ask about Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) directly in their tender questions — but that doesn’t mean they don’t expect to see it reflected in your answers.

Modern commissioning frameworks for learning disability and autism services often reference person-centred care, restraint reduction, and outcome-focused approaches. All of these align closely with PBS principles.

When commissioners ask about how you support people with behaviours that challenge, they expect your answer to demonstrate PBS-aligned thinking — even if the question doesn’t use the PBS terminology explicitly.

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What Commissioners Are Really Looking For

Even without naming PBS explicitly, commissioners are typically looking for services that demonstrate:

• Person-centred approaches that respect autonomy and choice
• Clear strategies to reduce restrictive practices
• Staff training aligned with best practice (including PBS frameworks)
• Strong evidence of outcomes and continuous improvement
• Alignment with national standards and frameworks, such as the Restraint Reduction Network

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Embedding PBS in Your Tender Responses

To meet commissioner expectations, your tender responses should clearly demonstrate how PBS principles underpin your service model, including:

• How you support individuals to reduce incidents through proactive strategies
• How PBS informs staff training, culture, and leadership
• Evidence of improved outcomes linked to PBS interventions

Make these connections explicit — don’t assume commissioners will infer them.

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