Restrictive Practices & NDIS Reporting

Understanding Restrictive Practices

At Accept Ability Always™, we believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and in control of their own life.

Sometimes, there are situations where a person or those around them might be at a risk of harm.

In some of these situations, restrictive practices might be considered, to reduce the risk of people getting hurt.

Our behaviour support practitioners work with the person and their supporters to understand what the person needs.

They explore how the person can be supported safely, with as much freedom and choice as possible.

What is a restrictive practice?

A restrictive practice is something that stops a person from doing what they want, or controls what they do, to help keep them or others safe from harm. Restrictive practices are anything that restrict the rights or freedom of a person with disability. These can only be used when everything else has been tried and hasn't worked.

There are different types of restrictive practices. The NDIS Commission regulates five types of restrictive practices. This means there are laws and rules about their use.

When support workers use regulated restrictive practices, these must be reported to the NDIS Commission.

Types of Restrictive Practices:

Chemical Restraint

A person is given medicine to change or stop a behaviour that is unsafe.

This does not include medications for diagnosed conditions.

Environmental Restraint

When a person is stopped from having things they want or need, doing certain activities, or going to certain places. This could be in their home or in the community.

Mechanical Restraint

When a device or equipment is used to stop a person's movement or behaviour.

It might stop them from moving freely or using part of their body.

Physical Restraint

When someone uses their hands or body to hold a person or part of their body. This stops the person from moving freely and is used to stop or reduce a behaviour.

Seclusion

When a person is put in a room or space by themselves and they are not allowed to leave.

This includes if they think or feel like they are not allowed to leave, even if the door is not locked and none says it.

When can restrictive practices be used?

Restrictive practices are safeguards that must only be used when absolutely necessary to keep someone safe.

A restrictive practice can only be used if:

There is a serious risk of harm to the person or others
Other strategies have already been tried, and haven't worked (last resort)
It is only used for the shortest time possible, and removed as soon as it is safe.
It is the least restrictive option needed to keep the person or others safe
It is written into a behaviour support plan
There is permission from the person or their decision maker
It has been authorised, following state requirements.

We follow all rules and requirements set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission, including the need to report and review any use of restrictive practices, in line with legislation. We will co-develop behaviour support plans alongside the person and their supporters, to ensure these make sense to situation and are person centred.

Our goal is always to reduce and stop the use of restrictive practices over time, while keeping the person safe and supported.

How we work with restrictive practices:

We start by listening. We work to understand what is causing stress, not just what the behaviour looks like.

Restrictive practices are never our first choice. We involve the person and their supports to plan what alternatives there might be.

We look at changes to the environment, routines, and supports that can reduce distress.

If a restrictive practice is already being used when we come on board, we work on ways to reduce and remove this over time.

If a restrictive practice is needed to keep someone safe, we ensure it is used correctly, respectfully, and with a plan to remove it over time.

We seek informed consent from the person.

We make sure the person and their supporters understand:

What the restriction is,
Why this might be needed,
How it will be used,
What other strategies we can use before the restriction and,
How we will plan to reduce this over time

We focus on dignity of risk and safety.

We develop clear, practical plans to help others know when and how to use the restrictive practices.

Restrictive practices are serious. Our responsibility is to protect rights, promote dignity, and support people to have their best life.