We recognise that restrictive practice may be one part of a broader positive behaviour support approach that people seeking support Hireup use.
As a registered NDIS provider Hireup is required to comply with regulation and legislation about the safe implementation of restrictive practice, as set out by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Hireup Support Workers are required to report the use of any restrictive practices implemented on their support shift to Hireup. You can report restrictive practices by completing this restrictive practice reporting form. Hireup is responsible for reporting all routine and PRN restrictive practices to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Hireup is committed to building systems and processes that ensure the safest support is delivered to people with restrictive practices in place.
If you have a positive behaviour support plan that includes restrictive practices, we'll contact you to discuss the best approach for managing your supports.
What is a restrictive practice?
A restrictive practice is any practice or intervention that restricts the freedom and/or rights of a person with a disability. Sometimes behaviours of concern can pose a safety risk to the individual and/or those around them. When this happens, restrictive practices may need to be used to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individual and/or those around them.
Regulated restrictive practices include:
Seclusion - seclusion is the confinement of a person with disability to a room or space at any time, where the person is not able to leave voluntarily. This applies to ‘time out’, or any time it is implied that a person is unable to leave voluntarily, even if there are no locks preventing the person exiting
Chemical restraint - is the use of a chemical substance or medication that has been prescribed for the primary purpose of influencing or managing a person’s behaviour. Medication that is prescribed for a diagnosed mental health condition is not considered a chemical restraint.
Mechanical restraint - is when a device is used to prevent, restrict, or subdue a person’s movement to influence their behaviour. Devices that are used for therapeutic or non-behavioural purposes are not considered mechanical restraints.
Physical restraint - is when physical force is used to prevent, restrict or subdue movement of a person’s body, or part of their body, to influence their behaviour. This does not apply to hands‑on techniques in a reflexive way to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm or injury, consistent with what could reasonably be considered as the exercise of care towards a person.
Environmental restraints - means to restrict a person’s free access to all parts of their environment, including items and activities.
Practical examples of restrictive practices include:
- Locking the front door to prevent someone from leaving the house due to the risk of absconding
- The use of a seatbelt buckle cover and/or travel harness to prevent someone from hitting the driver while being transported
- Physically intervening to prevent someone causing injury to themselves and/or others
- Locking someone in a ‘safe room’, or directing someone to a room and telling them they are not allowed to leave until given permission
- Holding someone’s hand so that they don’t run away
- When we give specific medication (routine or PRN) to reduce or control behaviours
- The use of a helmet to protect someone from harming themselves in response to self-injurious behaviour
What is a Prohibited Practice?
Some practices and interventions that were once used within support settings are now considered prohibited, meaning that they are not allowed to be implemented due to a significant risk of harm or injury to the individual. Further details about prohibited practices can be found in the Practices Proposed Prohibited statement and Regulated Restrictive Practice Guide.
Examples of Prohibited Practices include:
- Physically restraining someone in a face-down (prone) position
- Physically restraining in a face-up (supine) position
- Physically restraining someone by wrapped arm/s around any part of their upper or lower body (basket hold)
- Any practice that degrades, humiliates, demeans or vilifies a person with disability
- Denying someone access to key needs, such as family or friends
- Denying someone access to mobility or communication aids. E.g., removing an individual’s iPad which they use to communicate their wants and needs, or denying someone access to their wheelchair or walker
Assessment and Referrals
To ensure that Hireup is able to provide quality support for people who require the use of restrictive practices, a copy of the individual’s Positive Behaviour Support Plan will need to be reviewed and put through the Restrictive Practice Authorisation process prior to support commencing. Any other documents relating to the provision of behaviour support and restrictive practices may also be requested. This includes, but is not limited to, medication authority forms, Guardianship Orders, Occupational Therapy reports and other specialised support plans.
There may be some instances when Hireup is unable to provide support. In such cases, Hireup will endeavour to provide as much assistance as possible in providing an alternative service provider.
Hireup Responsibilities
Hireup is registered to provide support to people with restrictive practices.
The Authorised Reporting Officer is the authorised person responsible for the management and implementation of restrictive management procedures.
The Behaviour Support Coordinator will work with the Behaviour Support Practitioner and Head of Complex Support to ensure that behaviour support plans and restrictive practice plans are authorised and lodged with the appropriate authorities.
All routine restrictive practices implemented must be reported through the restrictive practice reporting form, which support workers are to complete when submitting a booking. All PRN restrictive practices require an incident report to be completed, in addition to filling out the restrictive practice reporting form.
Hireup may request an incident form to be completed at any time regarding the implementation of a restrictive practice.
When an incident is reported in relation to restrictive practices, the incident response team and the behaviour support team will report this to:
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The Head of Complex Support
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The Head of Service
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Relevant External Authorities and Government Agencies as required by regulation.