Reforming the use of restrictive practices

A restrictive practice is any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Restrictive practices are used to respond to the behaviour of a person with disability that causes harm to the person or others. This can include physical, environmental, chemical or mechanical restraints, or seclusion.

Our department is working with people with disability and their families, behaviour support practitioners, guardians and support providers to reform how restrictive practices used in disability service are approved in Queensland.

We have completed a review of Queensland’s positive behaviour support and restrictive practices authorisation framework. The Restrictive Practices Review considered whether improvements could be made to better align Queensland’s framework with the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework and the principles for nationally consistent authorisation processes developed by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.