Strengthening Behaviour Support Through Practitioner Development

Editor’s note: This article was updated in January 2026 to reflect the continued growth and evolution of the helpz Behaviour Support Development Program. Original blog title "Our Behaviour Support Development Program: Supporting Practitioners, Strengthening Services."

At helpz, we know that high-quality behaviour support begins with confident, capable practitioners. That belief is what led us to create the Behaviour Support Development Program (BSDP), a structured training and mentorship pathway designed to support new and early-career practitioners as they build the skills needed to deliver meaningful, ethical behaviour support.

Since launching in 2022, the BSDP has supported more than 100 practitioners to step into the behaviour support space with practical knowledge, real-world experience, and growing confidence. As the sector continues to evolve, so too does our commitment to strengthening the workforce that supports people with disability.

How the program works

The BSDP is delivered entirely online and begins with a series of seven interactive webinars. These sessions provide a strong foundation across key areas of behaviour support practice, supporting practitioners to build both knowledge and confidence at their own pace.

Following the webinar series, participants can opt into an eight-week mentorship program. During this phase, practitioners work closely with experienced helpz clinicians, applying their learning to real-world scenarios and developing practical skills in a supported environment.

Throughout the program, practitioners are guided to:

• write and refine behaviour support plans
• develop meaningful and effective data collection strategies
• complete assessments with confidence
• prepare training and implementation programs, including those involving restrictive practices

The program is designed to be supportive, practical, and responsive to the realities of behaviour support work, recognising that confidence develops through both learning and experience.

At the end of the self-paced journey, each practitioner undertakes a comprehensive review of their self-assessment and prior experience. Based on this review, practitioners may be endorsed as Core or Developing Core, supporting a confident transition into their first or expanding caseload.

What practitioners tell us

Feedback from participants continues to shape how the BSDP is delivered and refined.

Courtney Pettingill, a BSDP graduate, shared:

“I was initially anxious about completing the BSDP, but the activities made learning easy. My nerves quickly faded thanks to the incredible support from the helpz team and my clinical supervisor. I now feel confident delivering behaviour support services.”

Stories like this reinforce the importance of structured support, supervision, and connection, especially in the early stages of a practitioner’s journey.

Looking ahead

As we move into the year ahead, helpz remains focused on developing confident practitioners and strengthening behaviour support services across our communities. The BSDP continues to evolve in response to practitioner feedback, sector expectations, and the growing complexity of behaviour support practice.

If you are looking to build confidence, capability, and practical experience in behaviour support, the Behaviour Support Development Program may be the right next step. We would love to welcome you to helpz and support you on your professional journey.

Find out more about the Behaviour Support Development Program.