The Behaviour Support Service uses a needs-led model to look at challenging behaviour. The Behaviour Support Service works closely with staff to understand and address the needs of the patient.
During the assessment, we collect information about the patient from a variety of sources such as:
- The patient themselves
- Friends and family
- The care home
- GP
- Psychiatric notes
We aim to develop an understanding of the person’s needs and behaviour through gathering information on:
- The person’s life experiences
- Their personality
- Their mental and physical health history
- Their medication regime
- Their brain functioning
- Their current environment
The process of collecting this information usually takes around four weeks. An information sharing or formulation session is then offered to the care team (staff, care manager, family etc) in an attempt to understand the patient’s behaviour in more depth and to identify what needs are currently being met and what further needs could be met. We work with carers to develop strategies to meet the identified needs.
As a result of this intervention the incidence of behaviour that challenges and/or the distress that it can cause to others will often reduce.
How to refer
Referrals come to the service through the single point of access route from GPs or Older People’s Services eg. Community Treatment Teams.