Why Behaviour Support Plans Fail (and how to make them work)

Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) are designed to create meaningful change, improve quality of life, and support individuals in reducing distress. But too often, they don’t work. Plans get written, approved, and then forgotten. Strategies are misunderstood, inconsistently applied, or abandoned altogether. And the person who needs support? They’re left without meaningful change.
So why do Behaviour Support Plans fail? More importantly, how do we make them work?

One of the biggest mistakes is writing a plan for compliance rather than real-world use. Plans filled with technical jargon, broad strategies, or unrealistic expectations don’t translate into action. A good BSP should be clear, practical, and person-centred—something that families, teachers, and support workers can easily understand and use in daily life.

Another reason plans fail is because there’s no buy-in from the people implementing them. If families, educators, or support staff weren’t involved in developing the plan, they’re less likely to believe in it or follow through. Effective plans are built with key stakeholders, not just handed to them.

BSPs also fail when they focus only on stopping behaviours rather than teaching new skills or understanding behaviours. If a behaviour is meeting a need, simply removing it without replacing it leads to frustration and new challenges. Instead of just asking how to stop a behaviour, we should ask: What skill does this person need to meet their needs in a better way? or: What am I not understanding about this behaviour?

Finally, a BSP should be a living document, not something that sits in a file. Regular reviews, follow-ups, and adjustments are key. If something isn’t working, we need to adapt, not abandon the plan altogether.

The best BSPs are practical, collaborative, and focused on growth. When we prioritise understanding, skill-building, and real-world application, we create plans that truly work—not just on paper, but in people’s lives.