Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred framework for providing support to people with learning disabilities, including those with additional support needs such as autism, or those with behavioural challenges.
PBS has an overall aim to improve quality of life, and to provide the right support at the right time, so that people can thrive, be happy and fulfil their potential.
PBS supports human rights and promotes a life without unnecessary restriction.
PBS means treating people equally and working in partnership with people with learning disabilities and their families.

Positive Behaviour Support Community of Practice Scotland

Following the publication of the Coming Home report in 2018, the Scottish Government made a commitment to develop a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Community of Practice for Scotland.

Read SCLD’s Position Statement on PBS.

Read an Easy Read summary.

Read the Scottish Government’s Position Statement on PBS in Scotland

The PBS Community of Practice (CoP) for Scotland is led by a steering group of key stakeholders, including professionals and family carers who have experience and expertise in PBS, and who work at a strategic level.  

The PBS CoP is chaired by Dr Anne MacDonald (Scottish Government and University of Glasgow).

The PBS Community of Practice Scotland is focused on:

Leading the dialogue and discussion about PBS in Scotland
Supporting the implementation of PBS in Scotland
Delivering national events and webinars on PBS
Sharing good practice and learning about PBS
Ensuring that all sectors providing services to people with learning disabilities are well represented and involved with the work of the CoP.

We hope the PBS CoP will become a national focal point for all who have an interest in PBS and it’s use to support people with learning disabilities.

Animations – What is Positive Behaviour Support?

New series of animations exploring ‘What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?’

The series consists of 4 animations discussing different aspects of PBS and highlighting the person-centred, collaborative and values-based components of the framework. In addition, the series acknowledges some of the uncertainty around PBS and offers thoughtful responses to support a clearer understanding of the PBS approach.

The 4 parts are:

Quality of life and behaviour perceived as challenging

2. A person-centred approach which sees the individual – Watch here

3. Involving the person and those important to them – Watch here

4. Positive ways to keep people safe – Watch here

You can provide feedback on the animations by completing the short feedback form by clicking on the link What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?

Understanding the PBS interactive learning resource

You can access ‘Understanding PBS’ – an interactive learning resource on the SSSC Learning Zone Click here

Please note the Understanding PBS Open Badge is no longer accepting applications. The PBS Community of Practice Scotland will soon launch new resources to help people use the Understanding Positive Behaviour Support eBook. These will include a workbook for reflection. Learning activities will still be the main way to show your understanding, so you should keep completing the eBook activities as usual. More information about the new resources will be available in Spring 2026.