The Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) Framework is modeled under three provincial pillars:

Pillar 1: System Coordination and Management Pillar 2: Integrated Service Delivery - Intersectoral and Interdisciplinary Pillar 3: Knowledgeable Care Team and Capacity Building

BSO operates under the following seven value-based principles:

1) Behaviour is communication

Responsive behaviours can be minimized by understanding the person and adapting the environment or care to better meet the individual’s unmet needs. Behaviours are not meaningless; they are an attempt to express distress, problem-solve or communicate unmet needs.

2) Respect

All persons are treated with respect and accepted as they are. Respect and trust characterize the relationships between staff and clients and between providers across systems.

3) Diversity

Practices value the language, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, beliefs/traditions, and life experiences of the people being served.

4) Collaborative Care

Accessible, comprehensive assessment and intervention require an interdisciplinary approach that includes professionals from different disciplines, as well as the patient and family members, to cooperatively create a joint, single plan of care.

5) Safety

The creation of a culture of safety and well-being is promoted where older adults and families live and visit and where staff work.

6) System Coordination & Integration

Systems are built upon existing resources and initiatives and encourage the development of synergies among existing and new partners to ensure access to a full range of integrated services and flexible supports based on need.

7) Accountability & Sustainability

The accountability of the system, health, and social service providers to funders and to each other is defined and ensured. (Ontario Behavioural Support System Project, 2010)