When you receive your child's Behaviour Support Plan (BSP), it can feel overwhelming. This guide explains what each part means and how to use it day-to-day.

Key Sections of a Behaviour Support Plan

Background Information

This section summarises your child's diagnosis, history, existing supports, and what the assessment process involved. It helps anyone reading the plan understand who your child is.

Behaviours of Concern

This section lists and describes each behaviour the plan addresses. It uses precise language so that carers, teachers and support workers all respond consistently to the same behaviours.

Why the Behaviour Happens (Functional Summary)

This is the most important section. It explains what the behaviour is communicating — whether that is overload, wanting connection, pain, or something else. Everything else in the plan flows from this understanding.

Proactive Strategies (Prevention)

These are things you do before a behaviour happens to reduce the likelihood it will occur — adjusting routines, using visual schedules, giving advance notice of transitions, reducing sensory triggers.

Teaching Strategies

This describes the skills your child needs to learn so the behaviour becomes unnecessary. For example, if a child hits when they want a break, the teaching strategy might involve practising asking for a break using a card or gesture.

Reactive Strategies

These are the steps to follow during a behaviour to keep everyone safe and avoid escalation. Good reactive strategies are calm, brief, and predictable. This section should also tell you what not to do.

Review Date

BSPs should be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if the behaviour significantly changes. A good plan is a living document, not a one-time task.

Need Help?

If your plan is not working or something is unclear, contact Himani Arora at Brave Mental Health for support across Melbourne and via telehealth.