Restrictive practices and behaviour support: staying compliant as an NDIS provider

Few areas attract more regulator attention than regulated restrictive practices. If your participants have behaviours of concern, getting positive behaviour support and reporting right is non-negotiable.

The basics

A regulated restrictive practice is any practice that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability — for example chemical, physical, mechanical, environmental restraint or seclusion. Using one generally requires a behaviour support plan developed by a registered practitioner, state/territory authorisation, and reporting to the NDIS Commission.

What good practice looks like

• A current behaviour support plan for each relevant participant, with the authorised practices clearly recorded.
• Evidence of authorisation in line with your state or territory's requirements.
• Monthly reporting of regulated restrictive practice use to the Commission.
• A clear link between any unauthorised use and your reportable-incident process.

Why record-keeping is the weak point

The intent is usually right; the paperwork is where providers come unstuck. Plans expire, reporting lapses, and the link between an incident and a restrictive practice gets lost. Keeping behaviour support plans, a restrictive-practice register and your incident records in one connected system closes those gaps.

SureHarbor.app keeps behaviour support plans and a restrictive-practice register beside participant records and the reportable-incident workflow — so the full picture is connected, current and defensible at audit.