Affinity Trust’s Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) service in Bradford has received an excellence award from the British Institute of Learning Disabilities.

The PBS service, commissioned by Bradford Metropolitan District Council and local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, was launched in February 2018.

The service is run by a specialist team led by psychologist Matthew Hodder. Matthew’s team of keyworkers works with children, their families, schools and other professionals to prevent children from entering residential care.

Matthew says: “The service so far has been very successful. All the children we have been supporting have remained at home, avoiding expensive residential and educational placements. And, after just seven months, we were able to stop working intensively with one child.”

In addition, the children’s overall quality of life has improved. Their life, social and communication skills have grown, and they have been more involved in the community, accessing facilities like the library and swimming pool.

Feedback from families has been positive, with dad Tony saying: “Without the PBS service I would have struggled…Now, since I got this support in, I’ve got more confidence.”

The team has also developed strong relationships with schools and social care professionals in Bradford, including providing free training to over 100 professionals in the principles of PBS.

Gladys Rhodes White, Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services at Bradford Council, said: “It’s great news that Matthew and his team have received this award. It’s recognition of some of the excellent prevention work that is taking place across the Bradford District to improve outcomes for children with learning disabilities. This innovative project is about partnership working with agencies and Affinity Trust to support some of the most vulnerable young people and their families.”

Paul Taylor, Affinity Trust’s Head of Children’s Services Development, said: “This award is a recognition of the superb service provided by the PBS team. We’re delighted that the service has been recognised so soon after being launched.

“The award clearly shows the positive impact that PBS can have on children, young people and their families. I look forward to working with more local authorities to help keep families together.”

The award was announced at the British Institute of Learning Disabilities conference in Birmingham in May.

Watch our video about the Positive Behaviour Support service