Behavioural Assessments
A clear, compassionate process to understand behaviour, reduce risk and design practical support that helps people live better lives.
What Is a Behavioural Assessment?
Our Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBAs) explore the important needs and purposes that behaviours of concern may serve for the person. They help us understand how behaviour has developed over time, what maintains it, and how it connects with the person’s communication, environment, relationships, health and wellbeing.
We draw together information from observation, discussion and existing records to build a clear, shared understanding of how behaviour makes sense in that person’s life. Rather than focusing only on what someone does, we look at the broader context: what’s happening around them, what matters to them, and what might be affecting their wellbeing.
This process helps identify both strengths and unmet needs — guiding practical, compassionate plans that reduce distress and enhance quality of life.
Pinpoints why behaviour happens
Reduces risk and restrictive responses
Informs person-centred PBS plans
Improves team confidence and consistency
Supports multi-agency decision making
Creates measurable outcomes
How We Carry Out a Behavioural Assessment
- Referral & purpose setting: We agree aims, gather consent and clarify the outcomes needed (safety, discharge planning, PBS plan, court report).
- Records review: We review any relevant reports or records relating to the person. This might include previous assessments, support plans, medical history, life stories, incident recordings or anything else that gives a clear picture of the person and context.
- Interviews with key people: We speak with the person (using accessible communication if necessary), families, support staff, teachers and clinicians.
- Direct observation & data collection: We spend time observing the person at a time and within a place that feels the most relevant. We will tailor these observations around the person’s needs. We will also collect and analyse incident data, potentially implementing simple recording methods to help with this.
- Functional analysis / hypothesis testing: When safe and ethical, we may conduct an in-situ analysis to ensure our understanding of the behaviour is correct.
- Formulation & risk appraisal: We bring together clinical insight and data to form a clear explanation of behaviour and associated risk.
- Recommendations & planning: We summarise our findings in a clear FBA report and a practical Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) with a focus upon proactive strategies that have been informed by our findings, alongside reactive approaches to provide safe and compassionate methods to support behaviours when they occur.
- Implementation support: We work with the team or family to understand and implement the plan, using tailored coaching and training. We make a plan for ongoing plan review and monitoring to ensure effective implementation continues, and to monitor the outcomes for the person.
Our practice is always non-judgemental, evidence-based and person-centred. We emphasise dignity, choice and the person’s long-term quality of life.
What You Can Expect
A typical assessment package is delivered over 2–8 weeks, depending on complexity and setting. Early safety recommendations can be provided immediately if risk is identified.
You'll recieve:- A clear FBA report with observed patterns, functions and risk information.
- A practical Behaviour Support Plan with proactive strategies, skill-teaching goals and reactive guidance.
- Data collection templates and a monitoring schedule.
- Training or coaching sessions for staff/carers to ensure consistent implementation.
- Follow-up review dates and a proposal for ongoing support where needed.
We keep communication open throughout – you’ll always know what we’re doing, why, and how it helps the person.
Who a Behavioural Assessment Is For?
Behavioural Assessments are used wherever behaviour is affecting wellbeing, safety, learning, participation or relationships. Typical referrals include families and carers, schools and further education settings, care providers, supported living services, health teams, hospitals, and criminal justice and probation services.
We support children, young people and adults (including older adults) across neurodevelopmental and acquired conditions – including autism, learning disability, brain injury, dementia and co-occurring mental health needs.
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Why Choose PBS UK
Multidisciplinary expertise
Evidence-based, ethical practice
Clear, defensible reporting
Implementation-led assessments
Proven Outcomes
Our Services
Working With Individuals
We offer assessment, planning and direct support to improve quality of life and reduce distress.
System-Wide Support
Tailored PBS consultancy to improve culture, reduce risk, and drive sustainable change.
Working With Individuals
We offer assessment, planning and direct support to improve quality of life and reduce distress.
System-Wide Support
Tailored PBS consultancy to improve culture, reduce risk, and drive sustainable change.
Meet Our Team
Meet the friendly faces behind every PBS UK plan, assessment and training session.
Paddy BehanCo-Founder & Director
Tia MartinCo-Founder & Director
Donald MartinCompany Secretary
Your Journey with PBS UK
FAQs | Behavioural Assessments at PBS UK
Will a behavioural assessment give us a diagnosis?
No. Assessments describe patterns and functions of behaviour and may highlight areas for clinical or diagnostic follow-up, but they are not diagnostic tools in themselves.
Are your reports suitable for court, safeguarding or employment panels?
Yes. We prepare concise, evidence-based, defensible reports that can be used in case conferences, safeguarding reviews and legal contexts when required.
Do you carry out experimental functional analysis (EFA)?
We may use small-scale, ethically framed hypothesis testing where safe and appropriate, but only under controlled conditions and with informed consent.
Most of our insight comes from careful, naturalistic observation and analytic synthesis.
Most of our insight comes from careful, naturalistic observation and analytic synthesis.
How do you keep people involved and respected during the process?
We prioritise consent, accessible communication, and co-production. The person’s voice, preferences and goals shape every recommendation.
Can you work across multiple settings (home, school, hospital)?
Yes – cross-setting consistency is crucial. We coordinate with teams across environments to ensure plans are implementable everywhere the person lives and learns.
How is success measured?
We compare baseline incident data with ongoing monitoring (frequency, duration, severity) and include qualitative feedback from the person and their network. Success is demonstrated by reduced risk, improved skills, and better quality of life.
How quickly can you start?
We typically begin with an initial consultation within 5–10 working days, and can expedite urgent safety cases. Timelines for the full assessment depend on complexity.
Still have questions?
Contact our team or call us on 01234 567890 today.