Primary years Behaviour Support Plan (BSP)

Table of contents

A Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) is a strategy used in schools to help students who struggle with challenging behaviour that affects their learning or the safety and comfort of others.

These plans are particularly important when a student’s behaviour isn’t just a one-off but happens regularly and across different situations in school.

Why do we need behaviour support plans?

The main goal of a BSP is to teach students better ways to manage their behaviour and responses in school. This might include how to get along with others and how to focus and learn better in class. The plan will detail the specific behaviours that are causing an issue, figure out what triggers these behaviours, and then set out a way to help improve them.

How do we make a behaviour support plan work?

Creating a BSP isn’t just a job for one person. It involves teachers, parents, and sometimes other professionals like psychologists working together. This team effort helps ensure the plan is right for the student’s specific needs and that everyone who works with the student is on the same page.

Key elements of a successful behaviour support plan

Identifying challenging behaviours: You need to be clear about which behaviours need to be addressed. These behaviours might put the student or others at risk, make it hard for them to join in activities, or affect their learning, and overall happiness and quality of life.
Proactive and preventive approaches: The plan should focus on preventing challenging behaviours before they start. This means teaching and reinforcing good behaviours
Consistent support: Everyone involved with the student - teachers, family, support staff - must follow the plan consistently. This helps the student learn what is expected of them no matter where they are or who they’re with.

The role of teachers and the wider community

Parents and teachers are crucial in determining when a student might need a BSP and ensuring the plan is followed correctly. They also need training in managing challenging behaviours and effectively using positive reinforcement.

Community support is also key. Schools can work with specialists outside of school to get advice and strategies that might not be available within the school. This can include training sessions, resources, and ongoing support.

Developing a behaviour support plan for students

Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) are essential tools used in educational settings to address and manage behaviours that impact a student's learning or social interactions. These plans are designed to be comprehensive and adaptive, focusing on understanding the behaviours through continuous assessment and individualised strategies.

The behaviour support planning cycle

The development and improvement of a BSP are ongoing processes that involve several important stages:

1. Identification

This initial stage involves defining and understanding the specific behaviours of concern. It's important to identify not just the behaviour itself but also the context in which it occurs, which helps pinpoint potential triggers or underlying causes.

2. Assessment

Once the behaviour is identified, the next step is gathering data and insights to determine the function or purpose the behaviour serves the student. This might involve observing the student in different settings, consulting with educators who interact with the student, and possibly reviewing academic and behavioural records.

3. Planning

With a clear understanding of the behaviour and its functions, the next step is to develop intervention strategies to help better support the student. These strategies should provide positive behavioural support, introduce and reinforce alternative behaviours, and reduce or remove the triggers identified during the assessment phase. These strategies should be developed in collaboration with the student's parents/carers, and, where possible, their support team.

4. Implementation

The strategies developed during the planning stage are then put into action. Consistent application across all settings where the student interacts is crucial for the success of the BSP. Everyone needs to be on the same page, and follow the plan as it’s outlined.

5. Monitoring

Ongoing monitoring of the BSP is essential to ensure it helps support the student and reduces the behaviours of concern. This involves regular data collection on the student's behaviour and the impact of the intervention strategies. Again, this should be done in collaboration with everyone who supports the student.

6. Evaluation

The final stage involves analysing the data collected during the monitoring phase and speaking with parents/carers to assess the effectiveness of the BSP. Based on the analysis and discussions, the BSP may be adjusted to better meet the student's needs.

Proactive strategies for reducing challenging behaviours

Effective BSPs often include proactive strategies aimed at reducing the likelihood of challenging behaviours occurring:

‍Environmental adjustments: Modifying the physical or social environment to minimise triggers. This could involve changes to the classroom layout, adjustments to the daily schedule, or modifications to teaching methods.‍
Skill building: Teaching students more effective communication and social skills to replace challenging behaviours. This might involve direct instruction, role-playing, and using social stories to model appropriate interactions.‍
Positive reinforcement: Implementing systems to reinforce desired behaviours through rewards or positive feedback. This helps build the student's motivation and engagement with the learning process.

A collaborative team approach

A collaborative team approach is essential for developing and implementing an effective BSP. This team should ideally include educational staff, such as teachers and support staff who interact daily with the student, parents/carers, clinical staff, such as therapists or psychologists and, where appropriate, the student should also be included in the planning process.

Safety should always be the number one priority. A BSP should always include clearly defined protocols for addressing safety concerns, which the whole team should consistently follow.

Regular meetings to facilitate communication among team members, review progress, and make necessary adjustments to the BSP will ensure it effectively supports the student's needs.

Behaviour Support Plans are all about giving every student the chance to succeed in school by creating a supportive and understanding environment. They’re not just about managing difficult behaviour—they’re about understanding and addressing the reasons behind it. With the right support and a consistent approach, schools can help all students thrive.

Share this article