This is a practitioner’s guide to implementing School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) at Tier 1. SWPBS is a multi-tiered evidence-based framework used in schools worldwide to establish positive learning environments and improve social, emotional, and behavioural outcomes for students. SWPBS is gaining in popularity across educational sectors in Australia and beyond as a proven framework to support student learning, wellbeing, and behaviour.
Hepburn distils the theories and principles underpinning SWPBS to provide step-by-step guidance and practical strategies for each stage of implementation. With dedicated chapters on all Tier 1 core features, this handbook is a must-have resource for schools seeking advice on getting started with SWPBS, building or reviewing their behaviour support systems, or striving to maintain implementation fidelity.
This indispensable book is the definitive implementation handbook on SWPBS at Tier 1 and provides a valuable reference for individual schools, school systems, school leaders, teachers, and student support staff who want to build their knowledge of the framework and access guidance on how to implement it. If you care about equity, student and staff wellbeing, and improving learning outcomes then this book is for you.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Preface
Terminology
Why did I write this book?
Who is this book for?
Structure of the book
Acknowledgements
A note on language
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
Introduction to Part 1
Chapter 1. Introduction to SWPBS: What it is and why schools need it
What is SWPBS?
Chapter takeaways
Reflection questions
Chapter 2. Implementation science and the SWPBS implementation model
An introduction to implementation science
Implementation dirvers
SWPBS implementation model
Stages of implementation
Chapter takeaways
Chapter 3. SWPBS big ideas
Prevention
A continuum of supports
Function-based thinking
Evidence-based practices
Data-based decision-making
Contextual adaptations and cultural responsiveness
Ownership and stakeholder engagement
Chapter takeaways
Introduction to Part 2
Chapter 4. Get everyone on board: A common understanding and approach to behaviour
Engaging with the school community
Beliefs about behaviour
School vision and mission
Consistency and alignment of language
Chapter takeaways
Reflection questions
Chapter 5. Set the direction: Leadership of SWPBS
Principal leadership
Principal leadership by implementation stage
Team leadership
Common leadership challenges
Chapter takeaways
Team templates
Chapter 6. Plot the departure point: School-wide expectations for behaviour
Establishing expectations
Using expectations to develop a teaching matrix
Developing the teaching matrix
Chapter takeaways
Teaching matrix example (high school)
Teaching matrix example (primary school)
Chapter 7. Stay on course: Teaching expected behaviour
Why teach behaviour?
When to teach behaviour
How to teach behaviour
Systems for teaching
Chapter takeaways
Lesson templates and examples
Chapter 8. Admire the view: Encouraging expected behaviour
Developing a school-wide reinforcement system
Behaviour-specific feedback
Using the school-wide reinforcement system
Common challenges
Chapter takeaways
Chapter 9. Factor in delays: A system for responding to unwanted behaviour
Defining unwanted behaviour
Developing a referral system
Understanding consequences
Chapter takeaways
Chapter 10. Check the dashboard: Processes for monitoring and evaluating
Types of data
Outcomes data
Implementation data
Using data at Tier 1
Using data for solution planning
Sharing data
Chapter takeaways
Example solution plan
Example Tier 1 annual report
Introduction to Part 3
Chapter 11. SWPBS in the classroom
From whole school to the classroom
Getting started
Developing positive relationships
Teacher-parent relationships
Effective classroom practices
Establishing and teaching classroom rules
Teaching classroom routines
Positive behaviour-specific feedback
Practices for actively engaging students in learning
Consistent error correction
Chapter takeaways
Chapter 12. Building staff capability
Capability-building
School-wide capability
Staff capability
Training and coaching
Chapter takeaways
Conclusion. Servicing and maintenance
Sustaining Tier 1
Developing the SWPBS staff handbook
Parting words
Appendix 1. SWPBS surveys
Appendix 2. Websites and resources
Index
About the Author :
Lorna Hepburn is an educational consultant providing professional development and coaching to schools. For over 10 years she led the implementation of School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support in government schools in Queensland, Australia. She is the author of several academic publications and is a regular speaker at conferences.
Review :
"Focusing on implementing school-wide positive behavior support in Australian schools, Lorna Hepburn provides a concrete step-by-step guide written for school leadership teams with appropriate contextual adaptations while remaining true to the empirically validated core features. The book provides the essential features for Tier 1 implementation in an easy-to-read format. While several similar books and resources are available, Lorna’s inclusion of challenges and possible solutions based on her experience as a long-time implementer are a clear strength of this text and will prove invaluable to school teams. Each chapter provides core steps to implement, possible roadblocks teams might face, simple solutions grounded in implementation science, and lists of related additional resources. I recommend all school leadership teams have this guide at the ready, whether they are contemplating, have some elements in place, or are already implementing SWPBS with fidelity."
Tim Lewis, Ph.D.
Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Special Education
University of Missouri, USA
"A must-read for educators committed to creating safe, inclusive, and thriving schools. Lorna blends research and real-world insight to deliver a practical, empowering guide to Tier 1 SWPBS implementation. Clear, actionable, and deeply grounded in experience – this book is an invaluable roadmap for sustainable school-wide transformation."
Shiralee Poed, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Queensland
"This book is a user-friendly roadmap to implementing systems change to support students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioural skill development. Readers will find clear and actionable guidance for implementing School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SW-PBS), Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL, PB4L), and similar prevention frameworks. Dr. Hepburn provides a path to making schools better places for students to learn, families to connect, and educators to teach. It’s a must read for every educator in Australia and beyond!"
Brandi Simonsen, Ph.D.
Professor of Special Education
Neag School of Education
University of Connecticut, USA
