The legacy of LaVigna and Willis: how MEBS shaped the evolution of PBS in the UK

Purpose This paper aims to examine the foundational and enduring influence of the Multi-Element Behaviour Support (MEBS) model, as first articulated by LaVigna and Willis (1992), on the evolution of policy and practice in the UK. It explores how MEBS informed the development of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) by integrating behavioural science with values-based approaches that promote dignity, inclusion and quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach A narrative and historical analysis traces the influence of LaVigna and Willis on the acceptance and adoption of PBS in the UK. This paper focuses on how the MEBS model created a paradigm shift, informing the development of PBS values, practices, policy frameworks and professional standards. Findings PBS definitions have evolved over time. Some emphasise Applied Behaviour Analysis as the scientific core, while others focus on Quality-of-Life outcomes. The MEBS paradigm has consistently bridged both perspectives, combining technical precision with person-centred, non-aversive practice. Research limitations/implications To progress a paradigm shift that actually makes a meaningful difference to the lives of people with an intellectual disability, a range of collaborative approaches beyond functional assessment of challenging behaviour is required. The MEBS model offers such a collaborative approach. Practical implications Recognising MEBS’s origins clarifies how current PBS practice was influenced by LaVigna and Willis’s principles, grounding contemporary work in ethics, inclusion and human rights. Social implications MEBS carries profound social implications by reframing challenging behaviour as meaningful communication rather than pathology. Grounded in the tenets of Social Role Valorisation, MEBS promotes dignity, inclusion and equity through non-aversive, person-centred approaches. It transforms systems from control to collaboration, empowering people supported, their staff, families and communities to co-create supportive environments. By reducing stigma and enhancing quality of life, MEBS advances social justice for people with disabilities, aligning behaviour support with broader movements for compassion, participation and human rights. It represents both a scientific framework and a social movement towards inclusion and respect. Originality/value By linking decades of applied research with personal reflections, this paper traces the origins and enduring influence of LaVigna and Willis’s MEBS paradigm in shaping PBS in the UK into a compassionate, evidence-based approach that advances human rights, inclusion and dignity.