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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Behaviour Support Worker

💰 $ - $

Health & Social CareDisability SupportMental Health

🎯 Role Definition

A Behaviour Support Worker provides direct, person‑centred support to individuals experiencing complex behavioural challenges, implementing positive behaviour support (PBS) strategies, de‑escalation techniques, and individualized support plans to reduce risk and improve quality of life. The role involves working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, families and carers, and allied health professionals to assess behaviour, develop and deliver evidence‑based interventions, monitor outcomes, and maintain accurate documentation to support continuous improvement and compliance with regulatory frameworks.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Disability Support Worker / Support Worker with experience in challenging behaviour
  • Mental Health Support Worker or Community Support Officer
  • Allied health assistant or rehabilitation support roles (e.g., occupational therapy aide)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Behaviour Support Worker or Lead Behaviour Support Practitioner
  • Behaviour Support Coordinator / Team Leader
  • Behavioural Clinician or Specialist Practitioner (with additional qualifications)
  • Case Manager or Service Coordinator in disability or mental health services

Lateral Moves:

  • Support Coordinator or Case Manager (NDIS/health services)
  • Community Inclusion Officer or Residential Services Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive functional behaviour assessments using evidence‑based methods (ABC charts, functional analysis, interviews, observation, environmental scans) to identify antecedents, behaviours and consequences and translate findings into actionable behaviour support plans.
  • Develop, write and implement individualized Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plans that include measurable goals, proactive environmental strategies, skill-building interventions and clear crisis response steps tailored to the person’s needs and preferences.
  • Deliver direct, hands‑on support and therapeutic interventions—including prompting, modelling, positive reinforcement and ABA‑informed techniques—to reduce challenging behaviour and teach alternative skills in naturalistic settings.
  • Use validated measurement tools and systematic data collection (frequency, duration, intensity, latency) to monitor behaviour, evaluate intervention effectiveness and modify supports based on objective outcomes.
  • Lead or actively participate in multidisciplinary case reviews and planning meetings with psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, nurses, family members and external providers to ensure holistic, coordinated care.
  • Train, mentor and coach family members, carers and frontline staff in implementing behaviour support strategies, de‑escalation techniques and positive reinforcement systems to ensure consistency across environments.
  • Perform comprehensive risk assessments (behavioral, environmental, medical) and develop individualized risk mitigation and crisis management plans that align with agency policy and legal requirements.
  • Provide crisis intervention and de‑escalation using non‑restrictive, person‑centred methods; when necessary, apply approved restrictive practices in accordance with legal, ethical and organisational protocols and ensure prompt reporting and review.
  • Maintain accurate, timely and compliant documentation of behaviour support plans, progress notes, incident reports, medication administration records and service logs in electronic records systems.
  • Collaborate with families and guardians to obtain informed consent, involve them in goal setting and ensure supports respect cultural preferences, communication needs and the person’s rights and dignity.
  • Advocate for the person’s needs within health, education and community sectors, supporting access to services, funding streams and community inclusion opportunities.
  • Customize sensory modulation strategies and environmental adaptations to reduce triggers and support regulation, coordinating with allied health professionals to integrate sensory supports.
  • Coordinate and support transitions between services, settings and life stages (e.g., school to adult services, hospital discharge, change in residence) to maintain continuity of behaviour supports.
  • Implement and monitor programming for skill acquisition (communication, social skills, daily living, adaptive behaviours) that reduces reliance on behaviour‑based responses and increases independence.
  • Facilitate therapeutic group sessions and social skills programs where appropriate, designing activities that promote pro‑social behaviour and community engagement.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory obligations, service agreements and funding body requirements (e.g., NDIS, CQC, state regulators), contributing to audits and inspection readiness.
  • Participate in case formulation and clinical supervision processes, reflecting on practice, seeking feedback and implementing professional development plans to improve outcomes.
  • Support medication monitoring by liaising with prescribers and nursing staff, observing for side effects that may influence behaviour and documenting relevant observations.
  • Conduct training for new staff on organisation‑level behaviour support policies, incident reporting procedures, and best practice strategies to maintain a safe, skilled workforce.
  • Lead or contribute to incident debriefs and post‑incident reviews, analyzing root causes, updating support plans and ensuring lessons learned inform future prevention strategies.
  • Build constructive relationships with schools, employers and community groups to create inclusive opportunities, vocational pathways and meaningful activities aligned with individual goals.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality, professional boundaries and duty of care while upholding the person’s human rights and promoting self‑determination at every stage of support.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, updating client files, preparing reports for funding bodies and supporting billing documentation where required.
  • Support quality improvement initiatives by contributing to policy review, developing resources (guides, visual supports) and participating in working groups focused on safer, more effective supports.
  • Provide on‑call or after‑hours support as rostered to respond to urgent behavioural escalations or crises in the community or residential settings.
  • Engage in community outreach and education activities to raise awareness about positive behaviour support, inclusion and stigma reduction.
  • Contribute data and insights to program evaluations, research projects or pilot initiatives aimed at refining behaviour support approaches.
  • Support recruitment and onboarding of staff by contributing to interview panels, delivering induction content on behaviour support and modelling best practice in the workplace.
  • Maintain and order therapeutic and sensory equipment, ensure equipment safety checks and liaise with suppliers or allied health for specialised aids.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) planning and implementation
  • Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) and functional analysis methodologies
  • Crisis intervention, de‑escalation and approved restrictive practice protocols (aligned to local legislation and organisational policy)
  • Systematic behaviour data collection, charting and outcome measurement (frequency, duration, ABC recording)
  • Skill‑acquisition program design (communication, social, adaptive skills) and use of evidence‑based instructional strategies
  • Proficiency with electronic client management systems and incident reporting platforms (e.g., SupportAbility, care planning software, EHRs)
  • Medication observation and basic medication administration knowledge (where required), and understanding of side‑effect monitoring
  • Risk assessment and management, including designing proactive environmental modifications
  • Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks and funding environments (e.g., NDIS, safeguarding standards, CQC or regional equivalents)
  • Sensory strategies and environmental modulation techniques to support regulation
  • Basic first aid, CPR and physical assistance/manual handling competency
  • Ability to prepare clear, professional reports and contribute to clinical documentation

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional verbal and written communication with the ability to translate clinical language into practical guidance for families and carers
  • High emotional intelligence, patience and empathy when working with people experiencing distress
  • Strong observational and analytical problem‑solving skills to rapidly interpret behaviour patterns and adapt interventions
  • Resilience and stress tolerance; capacity to work in high‑pressure or crisis situations while maintaining professionalism
  • Collaborative team player who can work effectively in multidisciplinary and cross‑agency contexts
  • Cultural competence and commitment to person‑centred, trauma‑informed care
  • Leadership and coaching ability to upskill colleagues and model best practice
  • Ethical decision‑making, integrity and respect for confidentiality and human rights
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing rosters, environments and client needs
  • Time management and organisational skills to balance direct support with documentation and reporting duties

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, Community Services or equivalent vocational qualification; High School Diploma with relevant experience accepted in some settings.

Preferred Education:

  • Diploma of Community Services, Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Behavioural Science or related health disciplines.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Disability Studies / Disability Services
  • Social Work
  • Psychology (Applied or Clinical)
  • Nursing or Allied Health
  • Behavioural Science / Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years working with people with disability, complex mental health needs, or challenging behaviour in community, residential or clinical settings.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years’ experience specifically in behaviour support roles, positive behaviour support implementation, or applied behaviour analysis environments; demonstrated experience conducting FBAs, writing PBS plans and coaching carers/staff.

Relevant Certifications / Checks (commonly required):

  • Current First Aid and CPR
  • Medication administration certificate (where applicable)
  • Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and national police/NDIS Worker Screening or equivalent
  • Training in de‑escalation techniques (e.g., CPI, TeamTeach) and Positive Behaviour Support modules

This job specification targets Behaviour Support Worker candidates who can combine practical, evidence‑based behavioural interventions with compassionate, rights‑based care to reduce risk, improve functional skills and promote community participation. Keywords for search and matching: Behaviour Support Worker, Positive Behaviour Support, functional behaviour assessment, behaviour support plan, de‑escalation, disability support, mental health support, PBS practitioner.

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