Due to the information detailed within your referral, the Challenging Behaviour Pathway has been identified as most appropriate pathway.

This pathway is a Trust-wide initiative designed to promote equity of service and enhance the quality of care offered to the people we support.

The purpose of this leaflet is to detail what happens following a referral and allocation to the pathway.

A person’s behaviour can be defined as “challenging” if it puts them or those around them (such as their carer), at risk or leads to poorer quality of life.

Challenging behaviour can also impact upon a person’s ability to join in everyday activities and often restricts a person’s choices and freedom.

Challenging behaviour can include self-harm, sexualised behaviour, destructive behaviour, withdrawal and self-isolation.

Challenging behaviour is not always a problem for the person, it is often a learned way of coping with the distress of an underlying difficulty. This is why it is sometimes described as behaviours that challenge.

The Ethos

The Challenging Behaviour: Positive Behaviour Support Pathway adopts and promotes the principles of PBS.

PBS approaches are established as the preferred approach are grounded within person centred values.

PBS approaches are supported within NICE guidance. They aim to enhance quality of life through increased community participation, skill development and reduction in challenging behaviour.

This is achieved through non-aversive, compassionate and respectful approaches.

Where medication is prescribed, this will be reviewed. This will be in accordance with the STOMP LD project.

The aim of the STOMP project is to ensure people are on the right medication and have regular medication reviews.

The STOMP project also aims to improve awareness of alternative therapies and practical ways of supporting people whose behaviour is seen as challenging.

Expectations: Assessment

In order to achieve a preferred outcome for the person, it is essential that a comprehensive assessment (in accordance with NICE guidance) is carried out.

This requires partnership working with the person themselves, existing services, family and people who know the person well.

It is therefore extremely helpful that any supporting information such as behavioural support plans, health action plans and other available care plans are located and available for review.

A formal request for duplicate copies will be sent out in due time.

In addition to the information that is already available, we will need to collect further information relating to:

The person, The behaviour

The context/the environment Strategies used in the past Current medications. Again we will be asking you to work alongside us to collect this information (for example direct observations, completion of ABC charts/ incident forms)

Once the assessment is complete we will be making suggestions on what strategies may be helpful to consider.

You will be central in putting these strategies into practice and to collect information on whether these strategies have helped.

Please note that dependent upon the level of complexity and comprehensiveness of assessment, the intervention strategies may be subject to review and change during the course of our involvement. These may include changes to the environment, review of staffing (numbers and training requirements), meaningful activities, co-tenant compatibility issues and other physical changes to the environment.

Together we will review progress and update our interventions to ensure we are providing the most effective support.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have some concerns, questions or need advice on our services, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 234 6088 or you can contact the PALS Team by emailing them.

Feeling low and need someone to talk to?

Call 0800 915 4640

Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm Saturday to Sunday 12pm to Midnight

Need urgent help?

Call 0800 953 0110 24 hours a day, seven days a week

This leaflet is available in alternative languages and formats upon request. Please speak to a member of our staff to arrange this.