An evaluation of a multidisciplinary positive behaviour support clinic approach – views of professionals involved in the clinics in an adult community learning disability team

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is established as an effective framework for supporting adults with behaviours that challenge and is the recommended model of intervention across a number of professional practice documents and guidance. This paper evaluates a team of professional’s views of multidisciplinary PBS support clinics, using semi-structured interviews. Five main themes emerged: Multidisciplinary team working, Perceived positives for client and carer, Personal and Professional development, Using Behaviour Assessment/Intervention methods and Operational challenges. Limitations and future developments are discussed, for example, the need for additional training and the benefits of rolling the approach out across the service footprint. Easy to read summary ■ Positive behaviour support (PBS) is a framework that is effective in supporting adults with behaviours that challenge. ■ The Pennine Adult Community Learning Disability Team developed multidisciplinary team (MDT) PBS clinics to support families and/or carers of individuals who present with behaviours that challenge. ■ A service evaluation of these clinics found that they led to better joined up working, better support from their colleagues and increased learning from each other. ■ All MDT members shared positive experiences of being part of the clinics and offered reflections on how to develop the clinics further.