FAQ's - NDIS Positive Behaviour Supports
What are Positive Behaviour Supports?
In simple terms, Positive Behaviour Supports are personalised and evidenced-based practices and activities that focus on the things a person likes to do – like going to the places they enjoy visiting and being with the people they like to be around.
What are restrictive practices?
Under the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018, certain practices are subject to regulation.
The use of restrictive practices (RP) to ‘address’ behaviours can be a serious breach of a person’s human rights – the use of RP is therefore embedded in legislation and regulated by both state and federal governments.
What is a behaviour support practitioner?
A Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) assesses a person’s needs and develops a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies to build a person’s skills and improve their quality of life.
The strategies and activities in a person’s PBSP are based on the findings and assessment of a qualified professional called a Behaviour Support Practitioner. The practitioner is registered with the NDIS to assess a person’s needs and to develop a plan that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies.
When a PBSP contains one or more restrictive practices, the finalised PBSP must be lodged with the NDIS as the regulating authority and providers must report on the use of all restrictive practices every time they are used.
What does a Behaviour Support Practitioner actually do?
When a person has a PBSP, it becomes the blueprint for how workers and other people interact within a person’s environment, so that person can live their best life.
Because there are no two plans alike, one of the key roles of the Behaviour Support Practitioner is to train, coach, and mentor the people who are important in a person’s life – that’s anyone who may have an impact in a person’s environment.
The training helps everyone to understand the person and their needs, as well as how to safely use the strategies in the PBSP – thisis an integral part of delivering positive behaviour supports.
What is a Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP)?
A Positive Behaviour Support Plan, also called a PBSP for short, is a plan that is developed in consultation with the person and the important people in that person’s life.
The strategies and activities in a person’s PBSP are based on the findings and assessment of a qualified professional called a Behaviour Support Practitioner. The practitioner is registered with the NDIS to assess a person’s needs and to develop a plan that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies.
When a PBSP* contains one or more restrictive practices, the finalised PBSP must be lodged with the NDIS as the regulating authority and providers must report on the use of all restrictive practices every time they are used.
*A PBSP that does not contain the use of RP, does not need to be lodged with the NDIS Commission as it does not contain a regulatory requirement.
What are the types of restrictive practices?
- Seclusion: Seclusion is the confinement of a person with a disability to a room or physical space. Usually, this will mean that the movement of a person will be restricted and they are not able to voluntarily leave.
- Chemical restraint: Chemical restraint is the use of medications or chemical substances in order to influence behaviour. Chemical restraints include the use of sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs. Chemical restraint does not include medication prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of a diagnosed mental disorder, physical illness or physical condition.
- Mechanical restraint: Mechanical restraint is the use of a device that prevents, restricts, or subdues movement. This includes things like padded gloves or waist straps. It does not include devices used for therapeutic or non-behavioural purposes.
- Physical restraint: Physical restraint is the use of physical force to prevent or restrict a person’s body or a part of their body. This may include holding somebody’s arms or other limbs. It does not cover the use of a hands-on technique to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm or injury.
- Environmental restraint: Environmental restraint is the restriction of a person’s free access to all parts of their environment, including items or activities.