No images? Click here Authorisation of Restrictive Practices in WADecember 2022 | Issue No.2In this issue...
ARP Spotlight Why is there an ARP Policy? Good question! The first step is to understand why restrictive practices are used. Restrictive practices are interventions that restrict the rights or freedom of movement of a person. Of course, in many situations, restricting a person’s freedom is not necessary. Western Australia is committed to the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices for people with disability, in line with Australia’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, ratified in 2006. However, there are times when restrictive practices provide a necessary safeguard for a person and those around them – protecting them from risk of harm. In these cases, restrictive practices may be needed for a period of time. So, if a restrictive practice needs to be used, it is important to ensure that a person’s freedom is restricted only as far as absolutely necessary for safety. Here’s where the Policy comes in. The Policy places important requirements on the use of restrictive practices, and responsibilities on disability service providers who apply them. It provides assurance that restrictive practices are used for the right reasons and according to a set of principles – with a person’s human rights kept firmly at the centre. The Policy gives clear guidance to do what is right – and sets the benchmark for high quality disability services into the future. The Department of Communities wants to support you to understand the Policy, so there are education sessions available. These will also provide an opportunity to hear from others in the same situation. Upcoming Education All sessions will be held online through Microsoft Teams. Restrictive Practice in Disability Services – for families of people with disability – register now
ARP Policy Overview Sessions – for disability service providers – register now
Deep Dive: Understanding Out of Scope Practices – for disability service providers – register now
Practitioner Education for Quality Assurance Panels – Introductory Sessions – for WA Behaviour Support Practitioners – register now
Practitioner Education for Quality Assurance Panels – Practice Group series – for WA Behaviour Support Practitioners Please note, practitioners need to have completed an Introductory Session prior to commencing with a Practice Group. Please ensure you can attend all three sessions.
Test your knowledge… 1. What can I do if my 2. As providers, can we change Rights and Values: The environment around us impacts on how we feel and function day to day This second instalment of Best Practice in PBS, continues a review of the 2022 contemporary definition of PBS, as documented in ‘Positive Behaviour Support in the UK: A state of the Nation Report’ by Nick Gore and colleagues [1] for BILD UK. As noted in the last issue, Gore and colleagues state that PBS best practice has 12 key components, which are organised into three areas:
This article continues our exploration of Rights and Values. As noted in the last issue, Gore and colleagues talk about four major parts of PBS that support safeguarding of human rights:
This issue considers constructional approaches. Constructional approaches explain that people are influenced, for better or for worse, by the environment around them and how well it meets their needs. So, what is meant by ‘the environment around a person’? PBS is aligned with a social model of disability. A social model of disability asserts that people are disabled by barriers in society, both physical (for example, a lack of ramp access to buildings for people who use a wheelchair) and attitudinal (believing a person cannot access certain life experiences because they have a disability). PBS recognises that behaviours of concern develop, and are maintained, because the physical and/or social environment around a person does not match or meet a person’s needs. Historically, society and many intervention approaches have viewed behaviours of concern as problems resulting from the person’s disability. It is perhaps for this reason, that many past behavioural interventions have focused almost exclusively on behaviour as a problem that needs to be fixed. However, this approach is narrow, limited and, at worst, blaming of the person and those closest to them. In contrast, contemporary PBS seeks to understand the experience of a person. This includes thinking about the environment around a person and how this may influence them. In this way, behaviours of concern can be understood as a way a person communicates or expresses that something in their environment is not working for them. Contemporary PBS, therefore, seeks to understand the impact of the environment on a person’s experience, and interventions are focused on addressing environmental factors so that a person can be better supported. Considering the influence of the environment on the experience of a person? In exploring what may be happening for someone, it is important that a person is engaged to appreciate their experience and point of view, in a way that best supports their involvement and voice to be heard. It is also important to take time to appreciate the experiences and viewpoints of those closest to a person, such as family members and key support people.
The same questions can be considered for situations when things don’t go well too. PBS is about working together in partnership with a person and everyone around them. No one person will ever have all the answers. Being neutral (non-judgmental) and curious helps to better understand what a person and those around them may be experiencing. This develops a more capable environment that supports a person and those around them to live their best lives. In the next issue of this newsletter, as part of this review of a contemporary definition of PBS, the importance of supporting a person’s self-determination will be explored. [1] Gore NJ, Sapiets SJ, Denne LD, Hastings RP, Toogood S, MacDonald A, Williams D (2022) ‘Positive Behaviour Support in the UK: A state of the National Report’, International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support, Volume 12, Supplement 1. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/bild/ijpbs/2022/00000012/a00101s1/art00001 1. What can I do if my provider says they can’t use a restrictive practice and I am worried about the safety of my family member?Providers are obliged to keep people safe. At times, this may involve implementing a restrictive practice. In a situation where a provider indicates they can’t use restrictive practices, individuals and/or family members are encouraged to:
2. As providers, can we change the Outcome Summary Report form?The Quality Assurance Panel Outcome Summary Report has been standardised for consistency of providing evidence to the NDIS Commission that approval has been given for restrictive practice use, in line with the requirements of the Authorisation of Restrictive Practices in Funded Disability Services Policy (the Policy). It is important that the formatting of this document is not changed. What can be added to the form:
If you have more or specific questions regarding the Policy, you are welcome to email arp@communities.wa.gov.au. For enquiries regarding regulation or reporting of restrictive practices in the Are you an implementing provider who needs more support with Quality and Safeguarding?You can contact: WAiS – for regional registered providers NDS WA – for metropolitan registered providers WAAMH – for providers delivering psychosocial supports ready4QSC@waamh.org.au Looking for an independent external behaviour support practitioner for a Quality Assurance Panel?You can contact Western Australia’s Individualised Services (WAiS) at: WAiS can support you to find a practitioner funded by the Department of Communities for this purpose. As the bulletin is intended to provide guidance around the Authorisation of Restrictive Practice in Funded Disability Services Policy, your feedback and suggestions are valued and welcomed. Please email arp@communities.wa.gov.au should you have suggestions about a topic or questions you would like answered in a future bulletin. Please invite friends and colleagues to join by forwarding this email so they can subscribe directly through the Bulletin. Alternatively, they can visit the Authorisation of Restrictive Practice webpage and click "join our mailing list". |