School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support: Information for Schools (2025-2028)

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is a school improvement framework designed to create a positive, supportive learning environment by strengthening prevention and evidence-based use of school resources. SWPBS supports students’ social, emotional, and behavioural needs through instruction and environmental supports, with clear goals to use data for decisions and improve staff confidence and skills. The document outlines why schools adopt SWPBS, a multi-tiered system of support, team-based implementation, professional learning, outcomes in Victoria, and appendices covering fidelity, implementation planning, and tier 1 features.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

What is School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support?

Why do schools adopt SWPBS?

Multi-Tiered System of Support

The Victorian SWPBS approach

Joining the Initiative

Annual intakes and application process

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation

Appendices

Assessing Implementation Fidelity

SWPBS and the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0)

Sample Annual Implementation Plan Actions for Tier 1 Foundations

Tier 1 Essential Features

Positive Classroom Management Strategies

School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support Information for Schools (2025-2028) Acknowledgment of Country The department proudly acknowledges Victoria’s Aboriginal communities and their rich and enduring cultures We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely We pay respect to Elders past and present, and we work to support emerging Aboriginal leaders We recognise Aboriginal people as Victoria’s first teachers, artists and scientists, and we value the ongoing contribution of First Nations people and communities to Victorian life and how this enriches us all We embrace the spirit of reconciliation as we work together to deliver the Victorian Government’s commitment to Voice, Treaty and Truth Copyright disclaimer © State of Victoria (Department of Education) 2025 The Department of Education ‘School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support: Information for Schools (2025-2028)’is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 4 0 International license You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria (Department of Education), indicate if changes were made and comply with the other licence terms, see: Creative Commons Attribution 4 0 International The licence does not apply to: » any images, photographs, trademarks or branding, including the Victorian Government logo and the DE logo; and » content supplied by third parties Copyright queries may be directed to copyright@education vic gov au Images: istockphoto Contents Introduction 3 – What is School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support? 3 – Why do schools adopt SWPBS? 3 – Multi-Tiered System of Support 4 – Systems, data, practices, outcomes and equity 6 – Team-based implementation 7 – Ongoing effective professional learning 8 – Evidence supporting SWPBS 9 – SWPBS outcomes in Victoria 10 – Making SWPBS a success 10 The Victorian SWPBS approach 11 – Joining the Initiative 11 – Annual intakes and application process 11 – Ongoing monitoring and evaluation 11 – Professional learning continuum 12 – SWPBS central unit 13 – Region-based SWPBS implementation coaches 13 – School principals 13 – How SWPBS supports other initiatives 13 Appendices 16 – Appendix 1: Assessing Implementation Fidelity 16 – Appendix 2: SWPBS and the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2 0) 17 – Appendix 3: Sample Annual Implementation Plan Actions for Tier 1 Foundations 18 – Appendix 4: Tier 1 Essential Features 20 – Appendix 5: Positive Classroom Management Strategies 21 Bibliography 22 Department of Education | 02 Introduction What is School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support? School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is a school improvement framework that helps schools create a positive and supportive learning environment It improves student behaviour, wellbeing, and academic outcomes by focusing on prevention and making the best use of school resources Goals of SWPBS: → Support the social, emotional, and behavioural needs of all students, including those with challenging behaviours, through instruction and environmental supports → Provide a clear structure for using evidencebased practices that benefit every student → Use data to guide decisions and improve support → Help staff develop confidence and skills in evidence-based practices An evidence-based, multi-tiered approach ensures schools can meet students’ social (how we interact), emotional (how we feel), and behavioural (how we act) needs—creating a safe and effective learning environment for all Why do schools adopt SWPBS? Why Schools Choose SWPBS Schools adopt School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments SWPBS helps schools: Support Student Behaviour & Wellbeing → Teach and reinforce expected behaviours so students feel safe and read

FAQs

What is School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)?

SWPBS is a school improvement framework that helps schools create a positive and supportive learning environment. It improves student behaviour, wellbeing, and academic outcomes by focusing on prevention and evidence-based use of school resources.

Why do schools adopt SWPBS?

Schools adopt SWPBS to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments. It teaches and reinforces expected behaviours, strengthens relationships, aligns supports to student needs, reduces bullying and exclusions, and maximises the efficiency and sustainability of interventions.

How does SWPBS use a multi-tiered system of support?

SWPBS uses an integrated multi-tiered system where teams use data to predict or identify problems and plan solutions. Schools organise supports into three tiers, with Tier 1 enabling most students to experience success and additional tiers providing support for students who need more.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah