Understanding and reducing restrictive practices
Published at 08-04-2024 13:45:00
Understanding and reducing restrictive practices
Restrictive practices refer to practices or interventions that have the effect to restrict the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. While sometimes it might be necessary to ensure safety, these practices are used very carefully and only as a last resort when absolutely needed.
What are restrictive practices?
Under the legislation, there are five types of restrictive practices:
Chemical restraint: Is a practice or intervention that involves the use of medication or a chemical substance, with the purpose of influencing the consumer's behaviour.
Examples might include medications that are prescribed and over the counter medication.
Environmental restraint: Is a practice or intervention that restricts a person's free access to all parts of their environment, including items or activities, to influence their behaviour.
Examples might include restricting access to an outside space, or removing access access to an item by putting it out of reach.
Mechanical restraint: Is a practice or intervention that involves the use of a device to prevent, restrict or subdue a person to influence their behaviour. This doesn't include the use of a therapeutic device or when it is for non behavioural purposes.
Examples might include the use of bed rails, low beds or princess chairs.
Physical restraint: Is a practice or intervention that uses physical force to prevent, restrict or subdue movement of a person's body or part of their body to influence their behaviour. This doesn't include actions that could be reasonably considered as an exercise of care such as using their hands to redirect the person away from potential harm or injury or catching a person when they are about to fall.
Examples might include physically holding the person in a specific position to force personal care issues such as for administration of medication or stopping them from going into a specific area that they should not be going to.
Seclusion: Is a practice or intervention that involves solitary confinement of a person to influence their behaviour. This could mean secluding them into a room or a physical space for a certain amount of time where they cannot leave. This doesn't include someone who choses to close and lock a door behind them, such as in their own room.
An example could include placing that person in alone in a room where a 'time out' is imposed.
Seclusion can significantly affect a person's dignity and rights so it should only be used when all alternative practices have been tried. It is quite an extreme form of practice and should never be used as punishment.
Why are restrictive practices used?
The NDIS is actively working towards reducing and eventually eliminating the use of restrictive practices. They are trying to shift the focus to supporting behavioural needs so that restrictive practices do not need to be used.
Restrictive practices are usually used to manage behaviours that might cause risk or harm to you or other people. These behaviours can include aggression, self-harm, or extreme disruption. While these practices are used with the aim of ensuring safety for everyone, they can sometimes have negative effects as well, such as causing further emotional distress.
Why is reducing restrictive practices important?
The reducing of restrictive practices is essential for several reasons:
Respect and dignity: Every individual has the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Overuse of restrictive practices can undermine these rights.
Quality of life: Minimising restrictive practices can lead to improved mental and physical health, greater independence, and a higher quality of life.
Ethical and legal standards: There are ethical and legal imperatives to reduce restrictive practices. Various regulations and guidelines promote the least restrictive options for managing challenging behaviours.
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