Positive Response was founded by Dr David Allen in 1999. With many years’ experience working in the NHS as a clinician, manager, trainer and academic and an international reputation in the field of PBS, his contribution was acknowledged by a leadership award from the British Institute of Learning Disabilities in 2012. David held honorary personal chairs at the University of Glamorgan, Cardiff University, and the Tizard Centre, University of Kent, and is a Fellow of both the British Psychological Society and the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability. His extensive training experience includes developing Positive Behaviour Management (PBM), leading the establishment of Cardiff University’s Positive Approaches to Challenging Behaviour Masters programme and the suite of vocational BTEC PBS qualifications. David has a significant history of developing policy and practice through organisations such as the King’s Fund and NICE. He has over 60 publications in peer review journals, 120 national and international conference presentations and was founding co-editor of the International Journal for Positive Behavioural Support. Some of these publications are listed below.
David developed our PBMpro training programme for over 20 years and it is used by organisations all over the country. David also designed our PBS one day theory course, Positive Approaches to Challenging Behaviour, which is equally well-respected and used by a range of different organisations for both face to face and remote training. David retired from Positive Response Training at the end of 2021 and was succeeded by new director of training, Mark Hilley. Mark has over twenty years experience of delivering PBMpro training and worked as lead trainer, under the direct tutelage and stewardship of David, for over 6 years. He also retains the everyday functions of the lead trainer role and specialises in training and developing new trainers. He has overseen the ongoing growth, development and delivery of PBMpro training in the UK and abroad, providing support and advice to trainers and customers new and established.
In 2021 Positive Response Training formed a training partnership with Redstone PBS. They offer a range of positive behaviour support training workshops and programmes to suit both those new to positive behaviour support and those who are looking to develop skills and knowledge beyond the basics.
Ethical approaches to physical interventions. Vol I
Edited by David Allen
In the 10 years since physical interventions moved onto the national agenda, much progress has been made. This book, based on contributions from leading academics and practitioners in the UK and USA, is the first major overhaul of key developments and current best practice in the field. It includes an overview of current policies and practices, an examination of physical interventions and abusive practice, and a discussion of objectives for the immediate future. An important reference for commissioners, service providers and physical interventions trainers, as well as anyone concerned with improving our responses to challenging behaviour.
‘This book is a signature to a decade of change and revolution. It is a salute to a community which has moved mountains and faced up to difficult and traumatic issues and found imaginative and exciting solutions.’ Donal MacIntyre
Ethical approaches to physical interventions. Vol II
Edited by David Allen
The topic of physical intervention is still hugely important: the abuse of such interventions features all too regularly in national scandals, and people with intellectual disabilities and other individuals with complex needs are still dying in the UK as a result of the use of inappropriate restraint.
Through rigorous analysis of current policies and practices, careful examination of physical interventions and abusive practices, and clear discussion of objectives and needs for the future, this new publication offers a major overview of key developments and current best practice in the field.
Please note: this is a second volume to the Ethical Approaches series, not a second edition. It does not replace the first volume but complements it and updates the debate.
Reducing the use of restrictive practices
By David Allen
This book continues BILD’s strategy to improve practice in this area by focussing on reducing the use of restrictive procedures in a structured and accessible way. The book looks at:
– What we know about how often restrictive practices are used with people with learning disabilities and their potential impact: this is sobering reading and in itself provides justification for this publication
– Lessons about the key individual and organisational factors that can lead to reduced use of restrictive practices as well as an exploration of the possible role of PBS in helping deliver these necessary organisational conditions
– A suggested project template for reducing restrictive practices in an organisation
The overall aim is to help services who wish to reduce their use of restrictive procedures to do so in practice.
‘… a well written exploration of the history of restraint and focuses predominantly on the benefits for all for the practice of restraint to be reduced or eliminated in all situations.’
Hazel Ratcliffe, Learning Disability Today
Training Carers in Physical Interventions
By David Allen
How should carers be trained in physical interventions, given the bewildering array of different types of training on offer? What benefits should be expected from training? And how can trainers evaluate their training, both immediately afterwards and in the long term?
Training Carers in Physical Interventions provides trainers, purchasers and providers with practical, evidence based information: Alerting purchasers and providers in the types of outcomes they can expect from behaviour management training and helping trainers evaluate their training, with sample measures of direct training outcomes. The report also summarises the current knowledge on training outcomes, based on a review of existing literature and identifies areas for future research.
International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support
The first edition of the International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support was published in September 2011. It is now published twice a year.
Positive behavioural support (PBS) combines the conceptual framework of applied behaviour analysis with the values base of social role valorisation and framework of person-centred approaches.
The International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support is a peer-reviewed publication that aims to:
-Define and promote good practice in relation to the use of PBS
-Add to the evidence base regarding such interventions
-Demonstrate how PBS interventions can support people to change their challenging behaviours, improve their quality of life, and result in reductions in the use of restrictive procedures (such as physical intervention, seclusion and as required medication)
-Bridge the gap between academic research and service practice.