The Portsmouth PBS Network
We’re a movement of like-minded individuals, who have people with learning disabilities at the centre of our thinking, who wish to work together to create a community of positive behaviour support (PBS) practice, which enables people with learning disabilities to receive good quality PBS; no matter where, when or who they are supported by. Join Us!
About Portsmouth PBS Network
2017
It started back in 2017 when Portsmouth’s Integrated Learning Disability Service began delivering free PBS training to social care providers.
The training consisted of one day's 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.
2018
Then, in 2018, the service 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 all expectations.
2021
In 2021, the service then began to reach out to family carers to join the movement.
2022
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 service applied for funding 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.
The funding also secured the facilitation of annual Portsmouth PBS Network conferences, where the community can come together to celebrate good practice and share their joint vision.
2026
The creation of these website pages now follows, to help disseminate knowledge and resources.
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.
- To continue to deliver free PBS Awareness and Next Steps training
- To continue to deliver free PBS Leadership training
- To continue to hold annual Portsmouth PBS Network conferences
- To see even more family carers join the Portsmouth PBS Network
- For professionals, families and paid carers to continue to work in partnership in supporting people with learning disabilities in Portsmouth to receive good quality PBS
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).
Meet Penny, your PBS Network Lead
I completed my Undergraduate Degree in Autism, Learning Disabilities and Applied Behaviour Analysis in 2017, followed by a Masters in Autism, Learning Disabilities and Positive Behaviour Support in 2019, both at the Tizard Centre, University of Kent.
Since 2019, I have been working as a Behaviour Analyst and Clinical Lead within the Portsmouth Intensive Support Team (IST). In my current role, I enjoy the breadth and variety of the work - from supporting service users and their networks, to delivering Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) training, to overseeing the Autism Pathway for the service.
I am passionate about improving quality of life, embedding PBS principles in practice, and working collaboratively across systems to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Family + Paid Carers + Professionals = PBS for all, by all
Don't be shy, get in touch!
Call: 0300 123 4019
Email: penny.
Integrated Learning Disability Service, The Kestrel Centre, 2nd Floor, Mountbatten Gallery, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2GJ
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PBS: Getting support right with a values driven, person centred, evidence based approach
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Teamwork: Families, paid carers and professionals all play an essential role in embedding good quality PBS
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Leadership: Educating, guiding, motivating and coaching others to deliver person centred support.
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 that people with learning disabilities, who use their services, are receiving good quality PBS.
Our paid carers are based within:
- Community Integrated Care
- Creative Advances
- Chaos
- Minstead Trust
- Lifeways
- Go Create
- Dolphin Homes
- Dimensions
The Portsmouth PBS Network is very privileged to have a parent PBS Lead come on board - Keith McKnight.
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.
An introduction to PBS
Feedback on the PBS Leads Course
"We make it a priority to send all of our senior staff on this course as every single one of them has reported that they came away enthused, informed and skilled to provide a high level of support and care. The presenters were very knowledgeable, and presented that knowledge in a way which provided real life solutions. I would have no hestitation in recommending that anyone who is able to engages with this course. I've seen a marked improvement in the overall practice at my organisation."
Matthew Charters, Chaos Support
"I found the course very insightful and I learnt so much which we have implemented into our services and for the people we support. I feel more confident when completing a PBS and updating them for a person we support and this has helped the staff have a better understanding on how each person likes to be supported especially when they may be upset or agitated about something. It is one of the best courses I have attended in years and thanks to all for putting these on for the staff."
Rachel Corlett, Minstead Trust
"The PBS awareness course was interesting and engaging, the course content and delivery were outstanding, enabling group discussions throughout both days.
I would recommend this course to others!"
Benjamin Macey, Creative Advances