A conversation about the emotional realities of positive behaviour support in the UK

Purpose This paper enriches understanding of positive behaviour support (PBS) by exploring its emotional and relational dimensions. Through a polyphonic dialogue, it brings together the voices of those who receive and practice PBS. Applying the lens of “emotional communities,” the pupose of this paper is that the authors collaboratively examine their experiences to provide practice-relevant insights into the framework’s application. Design/methodology/approach The polyphonic dialogic was centred on conversations between the five authors. Through a multi-stage process of dialogue, reflection and further conversation, a shared understanding was synthesised in a process of “commoning.” This approach challenges hierarchical narratives by harmonising multiple perspectives. Findings The dialogue explores complexities that can arise during PBS implementation, highlighting potential tensions between its humanistic values and practice. Three key areas for reflection have been extracted from the authors' conversation based on their priorities: the potential for professionalised language to create distance; how data-centric practices can feel objectifying; the challenge of prioritising individual voice and relational safety. The dialogue suggests the emotional legacy of institutional harm can persist even in settings that strive for relational care. Research limitations/implications Readers should situate the findings of this paper within the context of its methodology – a dialogue. What has been learnt in this paper is not intended to be generalisable; rather, it offers rich, practice-relevant reflections from a specific context rather than universal conclusions, and so we would urge practitioners to use this paper or the accessible version, to talk with people about their experiences of PBS. Originality/value The paper offers a dialogue between five authors in a unique polyphonic dialogue approach about their experiences of PBS. The authors believe that a “new ABC” of support, acceptance, belonging and “commoning,” would be helpful to actualising the goals of PBS. This is proposed not as a replacement for existing tools, but as a foundational lens whereby support is approached as a bi-directional endeavour. This co-produced work is an invitation for continued conversation, aiming to support the evolution of PBS in humanising ways.