A Best-Practice Approach for NDIS Behaviour Support Services
What is a Front-Loaded Funding Model?
A front-loaded funding model is a financial strategy where a larger portion of a total budget is allocated at the beginning of a project or service period. Instead of spreading funds evenly over time, this model concentrates resources upfront to cover the most intensive and foundational work.
Analogy: Building a House
Think of it like building a house. The initial stages—surveying, excavation, and laying a strong foundation—are incredibly resource-intensive. You invest heavily at the start to ensure the entire structure is sound. Once the foundation is set, the subsequent work, while still important, requires a more paced and steady allocation of resources. The front-loaded model applies this same logic to professional services.
How This Applies to NDIS Behaviour Support
The development of a quality Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) under the NDIS is not a linear process. The initial phase is by far the most demanding and critical for success.
A traditional, flat funding model (e.g., dividing the budget by 12 months) often fails to provide practitioners with the necessary resources to perform this crucial upfront work, leading to potential delays and compromised quality. The front-loaded model directly solves this by aligning funding with the actual workflow.
Ensures High-Quality Assessment
It provides adequate funds for comprehensive Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBAs), observations in different settings, and in-depth consultations with the participant and their support network.
Promotes Timely Plan Development
Practitioners can dedicate the required time to writing a robust, evidence-based BSP without billing pressures.
Facilitates Effective Implementation
It covers the costs of the initial, intensive training required for families and support workers to ensure they understand and can confidently implement the plan’s strategies.
A Practical Guide for Behaviour Support Practitioners
Implementing this model requires a structured approach. Here is what practitioners should do:
1. Structure Your Quote and Service Agreement Correctly
Your service agreement is your most important communication tool. It must clearly state how the funds will be allocated. A recommended best-practice split is:
- Quarter 1 (Months 1-3): Allocate ~33% of the total annual funding for the intensive phase.
- Quarters 2-4 (Months 4-12): Allocate the remaining ~67% of funding, spread evenly across these nine months for the sustainability phase.
2. Execute the Intensive Phase (Quarter 1)
This is where the foundational work happens. Your focus during this period is on completing:
- Comprehensive Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA).
- Multiple stakeholder consultations and observations.
- Full development and writing of the Behaviour Support Plan (BSP).
- Initial training sessions for all relevant parties (family, support workers).
- Preparation of any required Restrictive Practice Authorisation applications.
3. Transition to the Sustainability Phase (Quarters 2-4)
With the foundation set, your role transitions to ongoing support and monitoring. Use the remaining funds for:
- Regular check-ins and implementation support.
- Data collection and analysis to track progress.
- Scheduled review meetings to adjust the plan as needed.
- Fulfilling ongoing NDIS reporting requirements.
4. Maintain Transparency and Communication
Proactively communicate with the participant and their plan manager. Explain the billing structure and why it is front-loaded. Provide regular updates on progress and how the allocated funds are being used. This transparency builds trust and helps the participant understand the value being delivered at each stage.