Here’s Teresa, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in the Intensive Support Team, sharing her views as part of our ‘Why I Care’ campaign:
“I work as a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner within the Intensive Support Team, part of the Adult Neurodiversity Service in North East Lincolnshire. At its core, my role is about supporting people with additional and often complex needs to enjoy a happy and meaningful quality of life. For me, this is far more than a job, it’s an opportunity to make a difference, this work sits very close to my heart.”
“Many of the people I meet are finding life challenging, they are unable to explain what’s causing their distress and can’t find the words to tell me how they’re feeling, so their behaviour becomes their voice. When you see the world through that lens, I’ve learned how important it is to truly listen not just to behaviour, but to the person behind it.”
“I work closely with Speech and Language Therapists to explore different ways people can express themselves. This includes approaches such as Signalong, using sign supported speech and Intensive Interaction, where we use mirroring to give intentionality to all attempts of interaction. This helps build meaningful connections with people whose communication needs are more complex. We follow their direction; this helps gain a true understanding of their strengths and helps us make sense of the moments when life becomes overwhelming or distressing for them.”
“When someone can’t communicate verbally, behaviour is often their only way to show their feelings of fear, frustration, confusion, or distress. This can be incredibly hard for families and carers to live with, and it can place real strain on relationships and placements. I feel strongly about supporting families and carers through these challenges, helping them to understand what’s happening, reduce distress, and rebuild a sense of hope and stability. Improving quality of life isn’t just about the individual, it’s about everyone who loves and supports them.”
“There is always a deep worry when children become adults. Parents want them to have their freedom and independence, to move forward in their adult lives. But for parents of young people with additional needs, this time can feel even more frightening and overwhelming. Accepting that your son or daughter will need support to achieve this level of independence but desperately wanting to see them thrive.”
“The Intensive Support Team, work together with Focus to support individuals with complex needs and their families, to navigate these transitions with care and compassion. We pay close attention to the compatibility of people who may be living together in shared environments, because getting this right can make all the difference. We hold regular multi agency planning meetings, bringing everyone together, including Occupational Therapists to ensure environments are safe, supportive, and adapted to meet individual needs.”
“And then there are the moments that make it all worthwhile. The successes. Seeing young people grow in confidence, move on, and begin to truly take their place in the community. These moments stay with you. I meet some truly remarkable parents and carers, people who go above and beyond every single day, often quietly and without recognition. Their resilience, love, and unwavering commitment are deeply humbling. They are a constant reminder of why this work matters so much, and they are what motivate me to keep doing it, even on the hardest days, that’s why I care.” 💙
