Job Description
Job Description: Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Lead
Job Title: PBS Lead
Location: Birmingham (with travel across Midlands & national packages)
Reporting To
Head of Clinical
Contract
Full-time
1. Role Purpose:
The PBS Lead is responsible for leading the delivery, quality, and continuous improvement of Positive Behaviour Support across all services.
This role focuses on stabilising high-risk placements, reducing restrictive practices, and embedding evidence-based, person-centred approaches across complex Supported Living, Residential, and clinically-led packages.
You will work across services supporting individuals with:
* Learning disabilities
* Autism
* Mental health needs
* Trauma-related presentations
* Complex behavioural risk
This is a hands-on, operational clinical role requiring direct involvement in high-risk placements alongside strategic oversight.
2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 Clinical Leadership & PBS Delivery
* Lead the assessment, formulation, and implementation of PBS plans across all services
* Complete Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBA) and develop detailed behaviour support strategies
* Ensure all interventions are proactive, least restrictive, and outcome-focused
* Embed person-centred, trauma-informed approaches across services
2.2 Crisis Intervention & Placement Stabilisation
* Provide direct support into services at risk of breakdown
* Lead behavioural crisis response, including:
* Aggression
* Self-harm
* Absconding
* Support teams to safely manage risk while reducing reliance on restrictive practices
2.3 Staff Training & Practice Development
Deliver and oversee training in:
* PBS frameworks
* De-escalation techniques
* Trauma-informed care
* Restrictive practice reduction
Additional responsibilities include:
* Coaching frontline staff (Support Workers, Senior Support Workers, Deputies) in real time
* Building internal capability to ensure consistent practice across all packages
2.4 Quality Assurance & Compliance
Ensure PBS practices align with:
* CQC regulatory standards
* Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
* Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
Monitor and analyse:
* Incident data
* Behaviour trends
* Restrictive practice usage
Produce high-quality reports for internal governance and external stakeholders.
2.5 Multi-Disciplinary Working
Work collaboratively with:
* Clinical teams (nurses, psychologists)
* Social workers
* Commissioners
Additional responsibilities:
* Contribute to MDT meetings
* Provide clear behavioural insight and recommendations
2.6 Service Development & Mobilisation
Support mobilisation of new placements, including:
* Environmental setup (low stimulus / low ligature)
* Staff team readiness
* Risk planning
Contribute to the development of PBS strategy across the organisation.
3. Person Specification
Essential
* Degree in Psychology, Behaviour Analysis, or related field
* Minimum 3–5 years’ experience working with complex behaviours (LD, Autism, MH)
* Strong experience in Positive Behaviour Support and Functional Behaviour Assessment
* Experience working within high-intensity staffing models (2:1–4:1)
* Proven ability to stabilise placements at risk of breakdown
* Strong understanding of:
* CQC regulations
* MCA / DoLS
* Safeguarding frameworks
* Experience delivering training and coaching staff teams
* Full UK driving licence
Desirable
* MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis or related field
* BCBA, UKBA(cert), or equivalent qualification
* Experience within forensic or CAMHS settings
* Experience in crisis or hospital step-down placements
4. Key Competencies
* Strong clinical judgement and risk management
* Ability to lead under pressure in high-risk environments
* Excellent communication and report writing skills
* Ability to influence and challenge practice at all levels
* Highly organised with strong attention to detail
5. Working Pattern
* Primarily Monday–Friday
* Flexibility required to attend services as needed, including urgent or crisis situations
6. What Success Looks Like in This Role
* Reduction in incidents and restrictive practices across services
* Stabilisation of high-risk placements
* Improved staff confidence and competency
* Positive feedback from commissioners and MDTs
* Strong, consistent PBS practice embedded across the organisation
7. Additional Information
* This role involves regular travel to services
* Enhanced DBS required
* The role includes both strategic oversight and direct operational involvement