Restrictive practices

Actions that restrict a person’s rights or movement, which are strictly regulated under the NDIS.

What it means

Restrictive practices are any actions that restrict the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Common examples include physical restraint, environmental restraint, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint and seclusion. They are serious measures because they limit a person's basic freedoms, so they are treated with great care under the NDIS.

Because these practices affect a person's rights, they are strictly regulated. The clear expectation is that they should only ever be used as a last resort, when there is a risk of harm and other approaches have not been enough. The overall goal is not just to control their use but to reduce and eventually eliminate the need for them by understanding and addressing the reasons behind behaviours of concern.

In practice

In practice, a restrictive practice cannot simply be used whenever someone feels like it. It must be properly authorised, be part of a behaviour support plan developed by a behaviour support practitioner, and be reported to the NDIS Commission. This creates a clear record and helps ensure the practice is genuinely necessary, safe and used as little as possible.

The emphasis is always on positive behaviour support and finding less restrictive alternatives. A good behaviour support plan works to improve the person's quality of life and skills so that restrictive practices become less necessary over time. If restrictive practices are being used for someone you support, it is reasonable to ask how they are authorised, how they are reviewed, and what the plan is to reduce them.

A real example

For example, Sophie's support team had been locking away items to keep her safe, which limited her freedom at home. A behaviour support practitioner reviewed the situation, and this was recorded in her behaviour support plan and reported as required. Over time, by teaching Sophie new skills and changing her environment, the team was able to reduce the need for these restrictions.

Restrictive practices — FAQs

What counts as a restrictive practice?
A restrictive practice is any action that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Examples include physical restraint, environmental restraint, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint and seclusion. Because these measures limit a person's basic freedoms, they are taken very seriously under the NDIS and are only appropriate in limited, carefully controlled circumstances.
When can restrictive practices be used?
Restrictive practices should only ever be used as a last resort, when there is a risk of harm and less restrictive approaches have not been enough. They must be properly authorised, form part of a behaviour support plan, and be reported to the NDIS Commission. They are never meant to be a routine or convenient way of managing behaviour.
Do restrictive practices need to be reported?
Yes. Under the NDIS, the use of restrictive practices must be reported to the NDIS Commission. They also need proper authorisation and must be included in a behaviour support plan. This reporting creates a clear record, supports oversight, and helps ensure the practices are genuinely necessary, safe and used as little as possible while work continues to reduce them.
What is the goal around restrictive practices?
The goal is to reduce and eventually eliminate their use. Rather than accepting restrictive practices as a permanent solution, the NDIS focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviours of concern and addressing them through positive behaviour support. By improving a person's quality of life, environment and skills, the aim is to make restrictive practices less necessary over time.
What should I ask if restrictive practices are being used?
It is reasonable to ask how the practice is authorised, whether it is part of a behaviour support plan, and how it is being reported to the NDIS Commission. You can also ask how it is reviewed and what the plan is to reduce or remove it. A behaviour support practitioner should be able to explain the reasons and the strategy for less restrictive alternatives.

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