Your first behaviour support appointment is mostly a conversation. A practitioner meets the person and the people who know them, often at home. They ask about strengths, routines, communication, behaviours of concern and goals. There are no tests to pass. Bring any NDIS plan details, past reports and a few notes on recent incidents.
You have made a referral. Now a date is in the calendar, and you might feel a little nervous. That is very common. Most parents and carers have the same questions before a first behaviour support appointment. What will they ask? Who should be there? Do I need to prepare anything?
This guide walks you through it. It explains how getting started works at My Behaviour Support, what you can bring, and what happens next. It also covers how the person you support stays at the centre of every step.
Why does the first behaviour support appointment matter?
The first appointment is where the working relationship starts and where the practitioner begins to understand why a behaviour happens. It is mostly listening. It is also your chance to get to know us and ask questions.
The first meeting is where the relationship starts. It is a chance for our practitioner to get to know the person and the people around them. It is also your chance to get to know us.
Behaviour support is about understanding why a behaviour happens. Only then can we build positive, practical strategies that aim to improve quality of life. That understanding comes from listening. So the first appointment is mostly a conversation. There are no tests to pass and no wrong answers.
Our work is guided by Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). PBS focuses on the person’s strengths, their environment and their quality of life. It looks at what a behaviour is communicating, rather than simply trying to stop it.
How does getting started work at My Behaviour Support?
Getting started has 4 steps: a referral, an initial consultation, a risk assessment and a written service agreement. Each step builds on the last. Once the agreement is signed, the assessment begins.
- Referral. You, a support coordinator or another provider can make a referral through our website.
- Initial consultation. We meet to talk about the person, their needs and what everyone hopes to achieve.
- Risk assessment. We look at any risks to the person or others, so support can be planned safely.
- Service agreement. We guide you through a written agreement that sets out the supports we will provide.
If you have not made a referral yet, our guide on how to make an NDIS behaviour support referral explains the steps.
What happens at a first behaviour support appointment?
At a first behaviour support appointment, the practitioner asks about the person’s strengths, routines, communication, behaviours of concern, triggers, what you have tried and your goals. Every family is different, so every first session is a little different too. In general, our practitioner will want to understand the whole picture. They may ask about:
- Strengths and interests. What the person enjoys, what they are good at and what makes a good day.
- Daily routines. Mornings, meals, school or work, evenings and sleep.
- Communication. How the person lets you know what they want, need or feel.
- Behaviours of concern. What happens, when, where and how often.
- Triggers and early signs. What seems to come before a hard moment, and what helps it settle.
- What you have tried. Strategies that helped, and ones that did not.
- Goals. What would make life easier, safer or happier for the person and the family.
You do not need perfect answers. “I am not sure” is a useful answer too. It tells us where to look more closely later.
Where do behaviour support appointments take place?
We visit people where everyday life happens. That can be at home, at school or out in the community. Seeing a person in their everyday setting helps us understand what is going on. We work with people of all ages, from children through to adults and older people, across South West and Western Sydney.
What should I bring to a first behaviour support appointment?
Bring your NDIS plan details, any existing reports, a few notes on recent incidents, a list of key contacts and your questions. You do not need to create anything new. A little preparation can help you feel calmer and make the time more useful. If you have them, gather:
- NDIS plan details. Your plan goals and the funding for behaviour support.
- Existing reports. Earlier assessments, therapy reports, school reports or previous behaviour support plans.
- Notes or a behaviour diary. A few notes on recent incidents help. What happened before, during and after? What time of day was it?
- Your key contacts. School staff, support workers, a support coordinator or other providers involved.
- Your questions. Write them down, so nothing is forgotten on the day.
It also helps to think about 2 or 3 goals before you meet. Keep them simple and honest. For example, “we want mornings to be less stressful” is a great starting point.
Who should attend the first session?
The person receiving support, the family members or carers who know them well and any closely involved support workers can all attend. It depends on the person and what feels comfortable. Often it helps to include:
- The person receiving support, in whatever way suits them.
- Parents, family members or carers who know them well.
- Support workers or a support coordinator, if they are closely involved.
Some parents prefer to speak openly without their child in the room for part of the time. That is fine. Just let us know, and we can plan around it.
How is the person you support included?
Behaviour support is done with a person, never to them. Their voice matters. Some people will join the whole conversation. Others may prefer to show us a favourite activity, or say hello and then take a break. We follow their lead. We use language and pacing that respect their dignity, and we speak with them, not only about them.
How are consent and privacy handled?
Behaviour support involves personal information. You have the right to know how it is used and shared.
Before we speak with other people, such as teachers or other providers, you can expect to be asked for your consent. You can ask what information will be collected, who will see it and how it will be stored. If anything is unclear, please ask. You can also change your mind about what you share.
The service agreement is another place to ask questions. Read it carefully before you sign. It sets out the supports we will provide and how they are charged. Our rate is $252.99 per hour, in line with NDIS pricing arrangements. Travel is charged at a 50% reduced rate, and we charge no kilometres. The NDIA reviews rates each year, so we confirm your rate at your first consultation and in your service agreement.
What questions should I ask at a first behaviour support appointment?
Ask who your practitioner will be, how the person will be involved, which assessments might be used, how often sessions happen and how funding works. This meeting is a 2-way conversation. It is your chance to learn how we work and whether we are the right fit. Here are some questions families often find useful:
- Who will be our practitioner, and what is their background?
- How will the person we support be involved?
- What assessments might you use, and why?
- How often will sessions happen?
- How will you work with school, support workers or other providers?
- How will we know if things are improving?
- What training or coaching will family and carers receive?
- How does funding work for our plan?
There is no such thing as a silly question, and our practitioners are happy to answer every one.
What happens after the first behaviour support appointment?
After the first appointment and a signed service agreement, the practitioner completes an assessment, writes a behaviour support plan and trains the people around the person. Sessions are usually fortnightly. Frequency depends on the person’s needs and the funding available. Extra training or stakeholder meetings can be added when needed.
Assessment
Next, we gather information to understand the reasons behind the behaviour. This is called a functional behaviour assessment (FBA). Depending on the person, we may use tools such as the QABF, a Quality of Life assessment and structured observations. Each tool adds a different piece to the picture.
The behaviour support plan
The assessment then shapes a behaviour support plan. This may be an interim plan, a comprehensive plan, or both. Plans align with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s behaviour support rules. They set out proactive strategies, skill-building goals and ways to respond calmly when things get hard.
Where restrictive practices are part of the picture, they are only ever a last resort. Our aim is always to reduce them over time and, where possible, remove them.
Training and ongoing support
A plan relies on the people who use it. We provide Family & Carer Training and practical coaching so families, carers and support staff feel confident. Through Implementation & Review, we also monitor progress and adjust strategies as the person grows and their needs change.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have everything organised before the first appointment?
No. Bring what you have, even if it is only a few notes. Reports, plan details and a behaviour diary are helpful, but they are not required to get started. Our practitioner will ask questions to fill in the gaps. If you remember something later, you can share it at the next session. The aim of the first meeting is to understand the person and your family, not to test how prepared you are.
Does my child need to be at the first session?
It depends on your child and what feels comfortable. Many practitioners find it useful to meet the person in their everyday setting. Some children join for a short time and then take a break. Some families prefer to talk through harder topics while their child is busy elsewhere. Let us know what works for your family when we book. We will plan the session around your child’s comfort and needs.
Can behaviour support help adults as well as children?
Yes. My Behaviour Support works with people of all ages, from children and teenagers through to adults and older people. The first appointment follows a similar pattern at any age. For an adult, their own voice, choices and goals sit at the heart of the conversation. Family members, carers or support workers can join if the person wants them there. Our approach adjusts to each person’s communication style and preferences. Read more in our guide to behaviour support for adults.
Your first behaviour support appointment is the start of a partnership. You bring what you know about the person you love. We bring evidence-based tools and a positive, practical approach. Together, we work towards a better quality of life for everyone.
To get started, make a referral or call us on 0415 930 548.
