This module identifies the most important perceived barriers and enablers regarding sustainability of Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school-wide positive behavioural interventions and supports.

Sustaining PBL

The most cited barriers were:

• staff buy-in
• resources, including time and money.

Enablers in sustaining school-wide PBL:

• commitment of staff
• principal support
• relevant and current training for all
• effective team systems and practices in place
• embedded and efficient data practices.

Embed PBL to enhance sustainability through:

• Strategic planning:
  • Ensure all aspects of PBL are documented in the strategic directions including the milestones.
• Procedures development
  • School procedures reflect decisions to reinforce importance of the PBL framework.
• Establish appropriate committees or working parties
  • Certain aspects can be done more efficiently by a team with final approval by the whole PBL team.

Consider ensuring success by:

• providing an integrated continuum of behavioural and academic support for all students
• developing, implementing and sustaining evidence-based practices
• ensuring system-based approaches are simple and effective
• communicating your baseline data and demonstrate improvements
• building and refining simple, effective systems
• creating sustainable systems.

Continuous improvement considerations:

• Are we doing what we said we would do?
• Are our efforts benefiting current students?
• Are our efforts supporting staff?
• Are our efforts supporting the community?
• Are our efforts an efficient use of resources?

Sustainable elements include:

• high expectations
• principal support and active leadership
• committed staff and team that uses an action plan and is informed by current data
• ongoing self-assessment and evaluation to determine achievements and set new goals
• inclusion in the school plan and wellbeing procedures
• regular communication with all stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement

Creating partnerships with anyone who is invested in the wellbeing and success of a school and its students is imperative. Stakeholders have a personal, professional and/or financial stake in the school and its students.

Creating partnerships with stakeholders is critical throughout implementation of across all 3 tiers. This engagement should be built around the concept that staff, students, families, and communities all have a shared vision for what learning and success should look like and how best to accomplish it.

Stakeholders include staff, parents, carers, families and community.