High school Behaviour Support Plan (BSP)

In high school, the goal is to create an environment that is inclusive and supportive of learning for all students, including those on the autism spectrum.

Autistic students may face unique challenges that require schools to adjust their approach to both teaching and behaviour management. ‍

What is a behaviour support plan?

Behaviour Support Plans (BSP) are essential tools within educational settings, particularly when addressing ongoing challenges that impact learning environments. A BSP is a personalised plan that addresses the unique needs of an autistic student. Its aim is to promote positive behaviour while managing challenging ones with compassion and effectiveness.BSPs are crucial when students exhibit persistent challenging behaviours that affect not only their own learning but also that of their peers. These behaviours may also risk the safety and wellbeing of the students and others around them. The need for a BSP becomes evident in situations where these behaviours are consistent across various contexts throughout the school day.‍

Objectives of behaviour support plans

The primary aim of a BSP is to give students the necessary skills to maintain positive social interactions and facilitate effective learning within the classroom and broader school environment. These plans have many purposes:

• Behavioural analysis: BSPs help identify and describe concerning behaviours.
• Identification of triggers: They assist in pinpointing the reasons or triggers contributing to these behaviours.
• Strategic intervention: BSPs help schools determine the most effective strategies and approaches to modifying and improving behaviour.

The behaviour support planning cycle

Implementing a behaviour support plan (BSP) is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement and adaptation. This cycle involves several stages, each essential to the plan's success. 

1. Identification

The first step involves clearly defining the behaviour of concern. Educators must ask questions such as:

• What is the behaviour?
• Why is it happening?
• In what situations does it most frequently occur?

This phase is about understanding the issue at hand comprehensively.‍

2. Assessment

This stage requires gathering and analysing data related to the behaviour. Educators should:

• Collect evidence through observations, recordings, and consultations with other teaching staff and parents.
• Analyse this data to discern patterns and potential functions of the behaviour.

3. Planning

Here, strategies are developed to achieve desired changes in behaviour. This involves:

• Designing interventions based on behaviour support principles and in consultation with the students, parents and professional teams.
• Ensuring the strategies are individualised, focusing on the student’s specific needs and the identified functions of the behaviour.

4. Implementation

Effective implementation involves:

• Consistently applying the planned strategies.
• Ensuring all staff involved with the student are on board and well-informed about the BSP.

5. Monitoring

Ongoing monitoring is vital to assess the effectiveness of the BSP. This includes:

• Keeping track of behavioural changes over time.
• Ensuring fidelity in the application of the support strategies.

6. Evaluation

The final step involves evaluating the BSP based on the data collected during the monitoring phase. Considerations include:

• Has there been an improvement in the behaviour?
• Are adjustments to the plan required based on the outcomes?‍

Effective strategies in behaviour support plans

The success of a BSP largely depends on the strategies employed. Effective strategies commonly include:

• Positive reinforcement: Rewarding positive behaviour to encourage its recurrence.
• Environmental adjustments: Modifying the physical or social environment to reduce triggers.
• Skill development: Teaching alternative behaviours that serve the same function as the challenging behaviour.
• Consistent application: Ensuring all staff consistently apply the strategies and interventions.

Challenges and solutions in behaviour support planning

While BSPs are highly beneficial, they come with their set of challenges. Common issues include:

• Consistency in application: Discrepancies in implementation across different staff members can undermine the plan's effectiveness.
• Resource constraints: Limited resources can impede the thorough implementation and monitoring of BSPs.

Solutions to these challenges can be approached by:

• Training and communication: Regular training sessions for all staff can enhance consistency and understanding of the BSP.
• Resource allocation: Advocating for necessary resources and support from the school administration can help address resource limitations.