Blossom HCG work in partnership with PBS Consultancy who provide Comprehensive Functional Assessments (CFA’s) to people with behaviours which may be called challenging.

A CFA is a thorough assessment of an individual and their behaviour that aims to understand the reason behind the challenging behaviour. It is presumed by Behaviour Analysts that people perform challenging behaviours because they are functional, that is, there is a legitimate reason for challenging behaviour, no matter what form or how severe, therefore the aim of an assessment is to identify the function of the behaviour (hypotheses) and another method of having their needs met.

Behaviour Analysts believe individuals display challenging behaviours because the environment (internal and/or external) sets the stage or ‘triggers’ the behaviour. Assessment is therefore a process for identifying the events, times and situations when behaviour will and will not occur to enable changes to the individual’s environment to be made to reduce the likelihood of challenging behaviour. The consequences that maintain the behaviour are also identified and adapted if needed.

Behaviour Analysts are interested in observable behaviour, that is, behaviour that can be systematically observed and measured. Behaviour is therefore recorded and measured to understand what works to reduce challenging behaviour.

The assessment process involves gathering lots of information about the individual through record reviews, interviews, carrying out a reinforcement inventory, interacting and observing the individual. It gathers information about the individual’s history (long term and current), health needs, communication, relationships, finances, occupation, previous and current support strategies and whether they were helpful.

Often when an assessment is carried out, a support plan is developed. A support plan transfers the findings of the assessment into clear written strategies for support. This provides guidance as to what activities are required to support an individual to have a good quality of life and fulfil their goals and potential.

More Details on PBS consultancy can be found here www.pbsconsultancy.net