Positive Behaviour Support: First Steps to Foundation is an introductory course designed for social care staff working with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It provides a strong grounding in PBS principles, offering a clear starting point for embedding these practices in care settings. The course is inspired by the UK PBS Competency Framework and aligned with Skills for Care’s First Steps in PBS framework. It delivers around 10 hours of theoretical learning—covering one-third of the foundation-level competencies from the full PBS Competency Framework.
Participants will explore core topics including autism, intellectual disability, mental capacity, functional assessment, capable environments, active support, and behaviour support, alongside other essential concepts. While much of the material is also relevant to other groups—such as children with learning disabilities or neurotypical children and adults—these are not the primary focus. This training is not intended as a substitute for more comprehensive learning in those areas; rather, it offers essential context and understanding.
In line with the PBS Academy’s Training Standard 1.g, this course addresses “To Know” competencies. To meet the PBS Competency Framework requirements, the theoretical knowledge gained here should be paired with in-person, practice-based training at a recommended minimum ratio of 1:5. For example, 10 hours of theory should be matched with at least 50 hours of relevant, supervised practice. This ensures that principles are embedded into everyday work.
The course is particularly relevant for direct-contact staff who play a key role in delivering PBS. However, achieving an effective PBS model requires more than frontline training—organisations must also ensure they have the right balance of staff with the necessary managerial, supervisory, and organisational competencies to support and sustain PBS practices (see the PBS Competence Framework for more details).
By completing this course, participants take their first step towards delivering compassionate, person-centred Positive Behaviour Support that enhances the quality of life for the people they support.
Download this guide to get started:
Complete your acknowledgement and pre-training quizzes.
Course Modules
- Module 0: Enrolment, Formative Assessment and Instructions
- Module 1: What is PBS and Why is it Needed?
- Module 2: The Role of the Direct Support Worker in PBS
- Module 3: Behaviours that Challenge and Behavioural Approaches
- Module 4: Functional Assessment and Measurement
- Module 5: Components of a Behaviour Support Plan
- Module 6: Contemporary Issues and Barriers in Positive Behaviour Support
- Module 7: Summative Assessment and Certificate
Track Your Progress
Module 0: Enrolment, Formative Assessment and Instructions
Module 1: What is PBS and Why is it Needed?
- Module 1: Lesson 1 - Models of Disability
- Module 1: Lesson 2 - Understanding Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Module 1: Lesson 3 - History of the Treatment of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Module 1: Lesson 4 - Abuse Case Studies
- Module 1: Lesson 5 - Understanding UK Legislation on Restrictive Practices for Care Staff
- Module 1: Lesson 6 - The Duty of Care and Least Restrictive Approach
- Module 1: Lesson 7 - The Origins of PBS
- Module 1: Lesson 8 - Values in PBS
- Module 1: Lesson 9 - Theory and Evidence Base of PBS
- Module 1: Lesson 10 - PBS Process and Strategy
- Module 1: Lesson 11 - High Quality Care and Support Environments and the Primary Tier
Module 2: The Role of the Direct Support Worker in PBS
- Module 2: Lesson 1 - Role of the Support Worker
- Module 2: Lesson 2 - Knowing the Person You Support
- Module 2: Lesson 3 - Building Positive Relationships
- Module 2: Lesson 4 - Respecting Autonomy and Enabling Choice
- Module 2: Lesson 5 - Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through Family and Social Networks
- Module 2: Lesson 6 - Person-Centred Approaches and the Support Worker
Module 3: Behaviours that Challenge and Behavioural Approaches
- Module 3: Lesson 1 - Reframing Challenging Behaviour: The Circumstances View and Its Benefits for People with Intellectual Disabilities
- Module 3: Lesson 2 - Stimuli and Behaviour
- Module 3: Lesson 3 - Reinforcement
- Module 3: Lesson 4 - Reinforcers
- Module 3: Lesson 5 - Punishers
- Module 3: Lesson 6 - Extinction
- Module 3: Lesson 7 - Antecedents and the Three-Term Contingency
- Module 3: Lesson 8 - Motivation and the 4 Term Contingency
Module 4: Functional Assessment and Measurement
- Module 4: Lesson 1 - Introduction to Functional Assessment
- Module 4: Lesson 2 - Indirect Functional Assessment
- Module 4: Lesson 3 - Direct Functional Assessment
- Module 4: Lesson 4 - Objective Behavioural Definitions and Frequency
- Module 4: Lesson 5 - Duration Recording
- Module 4: Lesson 6 - Interval Recording
- Module 4: Lesson 7 - Momentary Time Sampling
- Module 4: Lesson 8 - Scatterplot Recording
- Module 4: Lesson 9 - ABC Recording
- Module 4: Lesson 10 - Permanent Product Recording
- Module 4: Lesson 11 - Functions of Behaviour
- Module 4: Lesson 12 - Summary Statements
Module 5: Components of a Behaviour Support Plan
- Module 5: Lesson 1 - Behaviour Support Plans
- Module 5: Lesson 2 - Antecedent Interventions
- Module 5: Lesson 3 - Non-Contingent Reinforcement
- Module 5: Lesson 4 - Behavioural Momentum
- Module 5: Lesson 5 - The Premack Principle
- Module 5: Lesson 6 - Differential Reinforcement
- Module 5: Lesson 7 - Token Economy
- Module 5: Lesson 8 - Extinction and its Alternatives
- Module 5: Lesson 9 - Functional Communication Training
- Module 5: Lesson 10 - Escalation Cycle
- Module 5: Lesson 11 - The Competing Behaviours Model
Module 6: Contemporary Issues and Barriers in Positive Behaviour Support
- Module 6: Lesson 1 - Commissioning Arrangements, Organisational Procedures and Team Norms
- Module 6: Lesson 2 - Identifying Good and Bad Cultures within Social Care
- Module 6: Lesson 3 - Positive Behaviour Support and Managing Health Care
- Module 6: Lesson 4 - Competence in PBS