Statement on restrictive practices

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. 

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?

Sometimes behaviours of concern can present such a big risk to safety that a special kind of strategy is needed. These strategies are referred to as restrictive practices because that restrict someone’s rights or freedoms.

Regulated restrictive practices include:

Seclusion - is keeping a person alone in a room or another physical space, at any time of the day or night, which they are unable to leave of their own free will. 

Chemical restraint - is the use of a chemical substance to influence a person's behaviour.  

Mechanical restraint - is when a device is used to prevent, restrict, or subdue a person’s movement to influence their behaviour.  This does not mean the use of devices for therapeutic or non‑behavioural purposes.

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 used to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm or injury.

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:

• Limiting how much fast food someone can eat each week, even if they request it every day, is limiting their free choice to eat whatever they like when they like.
• Preventing a person from having easy access to food because they have an uncontrollable urge to eat, places restrictions on their free choice.
• By controlling what a person can spend in one day shopping, so they do not spend all their savings, we are placing restrictions on their free choice.
• When we redirect or block a person with challenging behaviours to prevent injury to themselves or others, we place restrictions on their free choice.
• If we use a special vehicle seat belt guard to prevent a person from becoming unsafe, we are placing restrictions on their free choice.
• Limiting how long a person spends in the shower so they don’t use up all the hot water, is placing restrictions on their free choice.
• When we control where someone can travel independently due to the risk of getting lost, we are restricting their free choice.
• When we give specific medication (PRN) to reduce or control concerning behaviours that place the person or others at risk of injury, we are restricting their free choice. 

Assessment and Referrals

To ensure that Hireup is able to provide quality to support for people who require the use of restrictive practices, the Hireup team will reach out the specific requirements for the individual. This could include requesting copies of positive behaviour support plans, restrictive practice authorisations, medication administration forms and any other relevant information. 

There may be some instances when Hireup is unable to provide support and in those cases the team will offer assistance in finding an alternative service provider. 

Support Worker Responsibilities

Hireup support workers are responsible for notifying Hireup of any concern they have regarding the support being provided and an individual’s behaviour support plan, particularly when restrictive practices are seen, mentioned, or conducted.

Hireup support workers should not use restrictive practices unless they are part of an authorised positive behaviour support and restrictive practices plan. If a support worker is unsure whether the restrictive practice has been authorised, they can contact the Hireup team for advice and information. 

Any use of restrictive practice must be reported to Hireup through our incident reporting form. In some instances, Hireup may be required to report these on to relevant regulatory bodies. 

Hireup Responsibilities

The Community Support Manager is the authorised person responsible for the management and implementation of restrictive management procedures.

The Community Support Manager will work with the Behaviour Support Practioner and Behaviour Support Lead to ensure that behaviour support plans and restrictive practice plans are authorised and lodged with the appropriate authorities.

If an incident is reported in relation to restrictive practices, the Community Support Manager will report this to:

• The Head of Service
• Relevant External Authorities and Government Agencies as required by regulation.