First-of-its-kind app launched to revolutionise behaviour support

This week,  Northcott launched a revolutionary first-of-its-kind app on iTunes to assist people with disabilities and the people who support them better understand and plan when managing behavioural issues.

Called “Plan With Me”, the app is a user-friendly and interactive way of building a Positive Behaviour Support Plan.

“The planning tool focusses on the individual and their support needs and it aims to provide an interface that is easier for non-clinical staff, family and the person themselves to engage with,” explained Aby Hutchinson-West, Manager of Positive Behaviour Support and Autism at Northcott and creator of Plan With Me.

“Users will build a Behaviour Support Plan through a series of pages that divide the planning process into manageable sections. The use of an escalation curve to map levels of escalation and strategies helps to build a plan that will support the person’s needs throughout a presenting behaviour.”

Northcott is one of the leading disability service providers in NSW and prides itself on a person centred approach, placing individuals with disabilities and their carers at the centre of decision-making to ensure that they have control and choice over the support they receive.

Plan With Me is an example of this person centred practice in action. The app is designed so that individuals have just as much input in their plans as the staff who support them. By taking this approach, staff can be seen to take a step away from being “the expert” dictating plans. Instead the app allows them to more effectively work with clients on developing strategies that they better understand and can take more ownership of, thus making implementation of the plan, along with the opportunity for positive and sustainable change, more likely.

In addition, the app’s visual and interactive nature has made the creation of what was previously a “lengthy and technical” paper-based form into a more straight-forward and engaging process that all parties involved can use to better devise and implement solutions together.

Each section has a “help me” guide to assist with the planning process. The end result is a Behaviour Support Plan which can be emailed out of the app for printing and sharing.

Plan With Me was developed over a six month period in consultation with service users and staff. It has seen great success already in its two month trial period, with some of the feedback including:

“It’s fun to talk about me!”

“I want to learn to stay calm – this helps me.”

"Now I understand why we have these plans."

This app is available on iTunes, simply search “Plan With Me” or click here to start using it today

For more information email apps@northcott.com.au