Positive Behaviour Support Webinar
Why I Believe in Positive Behaviour Support (and Why You Might Too)
Hi, I’m Sim, and if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s this: I believe in making a positive contribution to others, no matter how small. Whether that’s through helping someone improve their quality of life, cooking a new dish I’ve never tried before, or tinkering away on a website (usually with way too many tabs open), I’m happiest when I’m creating, sharing, or supporting.
I have a partner and three children, and in December 2025, I’ll be graduating from Bangor University with an MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis. My plan is to become UKBA(cert) before the end of 2026, and there’s a decent chance I’ll step into a Registered Manager role with an organisation I really admire. They take values seriously, and that matters to me. I also hold a BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Positive Behaviour Support, and I have a slightly nerdy background in mathematics (which probably explains why I like structure, data, and neat frameworks).
So what do I believe in? Three main things:
- Empowering others to live the lives they want to live.
- Making a positive contribution to my community.
- Using the science of behaviour – Applied Behaviour Analysis – because I’ve seen it work.
I’ve witnessed behaviour analysis change lives. Not just in research papers, but in real people, real families, and real organisations. That’s why I share this knowledge – to give others direction, whether you’re an entrepreneur running a care home, a support worker unsure how to best help, or a family member facing behaviours of concern.
My mission is to offer information, evidence, and a practical framework that can make a difference – in your work, in your family, or even in your career choices.
What Exactly is PBS?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is essentially a framework for supporting people with learning disabilities. Think of it as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) but shaped into a practical system that promotes community life and values. It’s not just about reducing challenging behaviour – it’s about teaching skills, improving quality of life, and ensuring people have opportunities to be valued members of their community.
PBS blends science with social role valorisation – which is just a fancy way of saying it helps people take on roles in society that are meaningful and respected. For example, being known as “the guy who helps out at the library” is a lot more empowering than being known as “the guy who always struggles with X.”
A Brief History Lesson (Don’t Worry, No Exam After)
PBS grew out of the 1980s in the US. At the time, people were moving out of large institutions and into community settings. Behaviour modification was already proving effective, but some of the methods used were… well, let’s just say ethically questionable (e.g. Tabasco on the tongue).
So the field needed something more humane – an approach that worked, but also respected dignity. That’s how PBS began: moving from punishment-based strategies to proactive, socially acceptable ones. Over time, research, funding, and professional associations gave PBS momentum, and eventually the UK caught on – especially after scandals like Winterbourne View forced us to take a hard look at how people with learning disabilities were treated.
PBS in the UK: Progress, But Still a Work in Progress
In the UK, PBS has gained attention, but understanding is patchy. Organisations sometimes claim they “do PBS” when, in reality, they’re only using fragments of it. The PBS Academy (a collective of people and organisations who care about getting this right) published the PBS Competence Framework in 2015 – the closest thing we have to standards here. It outlines what staff need to know and do to deliver PBS properly.
But let’s be honest: PBS isn’t just “a thing you learn in a quick online course.” It’s a whole framework, and it requires proper training, supervision, and practice.
Does PBS Actually Work?
Yes. And there’s research to back that up.
Studies in the UK and beyond show that PBS reduces challenging behaviour and improves quality of life, sometimes maintaining results years after interventions. It’s been shown to be just as cost-effective as usual care, which is a big deal in health and social care.
That said, effectiveness depends on how it’s implemented. E-learning modules alone don’t cut it. Specialist PBS teams, supervision, and hands-on training make a far bigger difference.
Implementing PBS: More Than Just a Buzzword
PBS isn’t something you can sprinkle on top of an organisation like seasoning on a curry. (And trust me, I’ve cooked enough curries to know that if you just chuck in random spices without a plan, it doesn’t end well.)
To implement PBS properly, you need:
- The right training and qualifications (from foundation level for support staff, to advanced qualifications for clinical specialists).
- A structured process: person-centred planning, functional assessments, hypothesis building, intervention planning, training mediators, monitoring outcomes, and adjusting where needed.
- Ongoing supervision and a culture that values the person being supported.
And here’s the kicker: all the components need to be in place. If you only pick and choose bits, it’s not really PBS — and it probably won’t work as intended.
Why I Care (and Why You Should Too)
For me, PBS isn’t just an academic interest or a job. It ties back to my mission: making a positive contribution to others. When done well, PBS empowers people, reduces the need for restrictive practices, and helps individuals thrive in their communities.
I’ve seen it work. I’ve seen lives change for the better. And I want more people – families, organisations, professionals – to understand its potential.
So whether you’re here as a parent, a support worker, a manager, or someone simply curious about behaviour, I hope this gives you a direction to explore.
Because in the end, this isn’t about me and my cookbooks, my motorbike dreams, or my love of data. It’s about people – people who deserve dignity, respect, and the chance to live the lives they want. And if I can play even a small part in making that happen, then I’m doing what I’m here to do.