Behavioural Intervention Service

BIS is a statewide, intensive, specialist services for young people aged 5 - 18 years who have mental health issues and persistent, pervasive, challenging behaviours. The service offers a comprehensive assessment of the young person's issues in order to determine whether Consultancy or Day Program intervention will be provided.

The service is staffed by a multi-disciplinary staff team which consists of both mental health professionals and teaching staff using the theoretical framework of Positive Behaviour Support in conjunction with the process of diagnostic case formulation to provide both Consultancy and Day Program services.

BIS Orientation and Service Overview Presentation - November 2007

Target Population

1. Aged 5 - 18 years. Referrals for 12 - 18 year old young people need to be directed to Adolescent Services - Enfield Campus in the first instance for an initial assessment
2. Mental Health issues - such as anxiety and attachment disorders
3. A failure by more than one agency in their interventions with the young person and/or two or more program failures with at least one agency
4. Persistent, pervasive, long standing behavioural problems

The service aims to assist with the provision of intensive therapeutic interventions for young people who have been identified as treatment resistant. These young people experience a range of complex bio-psycho-social factors that combine to keep challenging behaviours in place.

The agencies involved with BIS are:

• Division of Mental Health, Women's and Children's Hospital (CAMHS)
• Department for Families and Communities
• Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS)

How to Access Our Service

All referrals to BIS must go through the local area Interagency Referral Process and from there to a BIS Intake Panel meeting. A key principle in referral to BIS is that the service is intended only for young people with the most extreme problems. At both points in the referral process this issue will be considered along with what attempts have already been made to assist the young person and their family/carers. The Panel looks at each referral in detail and offers authorised, interested parties the opportunity to present information or clarification of issues in person about the young person being referred.

Once the Intake Panel has accepted the young person as a BIS client their name will be placed on the waiting list. The Intake Panel is comprised of key representatives from each of the BIS partnership agencies (CAMHS, DECS & FAYS) who may make recommendations regarding the young person. Any recommendations made by the Intake Panel and the general progress of the young person will be monitored while they are awaiting a service.

Information for Families

Theoretical Framework

Positive Behaviour Support has emerged out of the applied behaviour analysis field and represents current best practice with this client group. Positive Behaviour Support encompasses many approaches that are unified by a commitment to child centred, non-violent/non-punitive methodologies.

Diagnostic Reasoning and Case Formulation provides a framework for the integration of multiple professional assessments, treatment planning, goal setting and the evaluation of interventions.

Hypothesis-based intervention planning aims to assist the professional team with an understanding of the function of the young person's challenging behaviours. Planning incorporates antecedent management strategies, targeted skill development strategies and behavioural strategies using positive reinforcement practices along with family and systemic interventions.

Incident management maintains the expressed goal of defusing incidents, as opposed to applying punitive consequences so that the management of expected high risk situations can occur as part of a well-designed individualised intervention plan.

Working in Partnership

An essential component of the intervention process is the establishment of working partnerships with the relevant systems for each young person. In order to achieve the best possible outcomes for each young person the BIS team aims to work collaboratively with a range of people including families, carers and schools who comprise the 'Intervention Team'. The Intervention Team will meet regularly to review and evaluate the Positive Behaviour Support Plan for each young person.

Hours

8.45 am- 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday

Contact Person

Scott Olver

A/Manager, BIS

Location

BIS
74 Hill Street
Campbelltown SA 5074

Mailing Address

Behavioural Intervention Service
PO Box 463 Campbelltown
South Australia, 5074

Phone

(08) 8365 0026

Fax

(08) 8365 0369

Email

scott.olver@health.sa.gov.au

Web address: http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/bis

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