It started back in 2017 when Portsmouth’s Integrated Learning Disability Service (ILDS) began delivering FREE PBS training to social care providers.
The training consisted of one days teaching on the philosophy of PBS (Awareness) and a second day on how to implement the philosophy (Next Steps).
The training was really well received by support workers and service managers from across supported living, respite and day service settings in Portsmouth. 🙌
Then in 2018 the ILDS launched FREE PBS Practice Leadership training (PBS Leads) for social care providers; a 4 day training programme on how to lead others to implement good quality PBS.
The work the PBS leads have gone on to achieve with the people they support has exceeded expectation.
In 2021 the ILDS began to reach out to family carers to join the movement.
In 2022 the first family carer attended a PBS Leads training course.
They have since worked closely with the provider who supports their son, to utilise the skills and knowledge gained on the PBS Leads programme, to get the support right.
Later that year the ILDS applied for funding through Solent NHS Trusts, Dragons Den Programme, to help the movement gain momentum.
The funding enabled the initial vision to transform into the Portsmouth PBS Network, a community of practice in Positive Behaviour Support.
It has enabled the creation of this website, which helps disseminate knowledge and resources.
It has secured the facilitation of annual Portsmouth PBS Network conferences,
where the community can come together to celebrate good practice and share their joint vision.
But ultimately it has enabled more people with learning disabilities in Portsmouth to receive good quality PBS: No matter where, when or who they are supported by.
When a person receives PBS it is unlikely to come from just one individual, one professional group or one service.
Families, carers, professionals, service providers and commissioners need to work together and each play their part in supporting that person (PBS Academy & CBF, 2019).
The Portsmouth PBS Network is very fortunate to have a wealth of paid carers who have become PBS Leads.
They work in supported living settings, respite services and day services across Portsmouth. They work tirelessly to ensure the people with learning disabilities, who use their services, are receiving good quality PBS.
The Portsmouth PBS Network are very privileged to have a parent PBS Lead come on board. Without family carers joining the network, there is a huge gap of knowledge, skill and point of view.
We thank Keith greatly for leading the way and very much hope he will be the first of many.
