Australian practitioners' beliefs, confidence, and training needs for delivering behaviour support to children and young people in out-of-home care

Children in out-of-home care (OOHC) frequently present with complex behavioural needs. In New South Wales (NSW), behaviour support plans (BSPs) are mandated when restrictive practices, including psychotropic medication, are used. Little research has examined whether the statutory workforce is adequately prepared to meet behaviour support expectations. This study reports findings from a mixed-methods survey of 95 practitioners delivering behaviour support to children in OOHC in NSW, examining practitioner beliefs, preparation, confidence, and perceived training and support needs. Quantitative findings showed strong endorsement of trauma-informed and functional understandings of behaviour, alongside low levels of pre-service preparation and only moderate confidence in core competencies. Confidence was lowest in functional behaviour assessment, data analysis, and supporting BSP implementation. Qualitative findings identified systemic barriers, including limited access to training, time constraints, insufficient implementation support, and a lack of culturally safe guidance when working with Aboriginal children. These findings highlight a mismatch between policy expectations and workforce capacity, suggesting practitioner capability rather than attitudes is a key constraint on equitable and effective behaviour support in OOHC. Strengthening practice-based learning, implementation supports, and Aboriginal-led governance is critical.