A behaviour support plan that includes restrictive practices should be reviewed at least every 12 months. If you’re wondering where this is mandated, you will find it across multiple sources:

• The NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 stipulate that comprehensive behaviour support plans containing regulated restrictive practices must be reviewed at least every 12 months while the plan is in force.
• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission states that a PBS plan containing a restrictive practice should be reviewed at least every 12 months.

However…

It’s important to note that reviews may be required more frequently in certain circumstances such as:

• When there is a change in the person’s situation that requires amending the plan.
• At times, specific types of restrictive practices, such as seclusion, physical restraint, or certain cases of chemical restraint, will probably require more frequent reviews.

Additionally, it’s considered good practice to regularly check the strategies in the plan to ensure they continue to meet the person’s needs

What NDIS Providers Need to Know

If a behaviour support plan is not reviewed within the required timeframe and a new authorisation is not obtained, the use of restrictive practices may become unauthorised, potentially leading to the use of the restrictive practice being a reportable incident.

Now, if as a provider you are not aware of this, you could get a nasty surprise at audit when your auditor gives you Major Non-conformities on all the indicators within Module 2a and a few indicators within Incident Management. Adding to this, it leaves you in breach of multiple legislative frameworks. Honestly, in the event of someone being hurt, the insurance company could refuse to insure you. This includes a worker’s compensation claim as well as public liability and most definitely a professional indemnity claim. As you were not legally supposed to implement that practice if the authorisation period has expired. Here is a webinar on the most common nonconformities in Module 2a.

Remember…

Some responsibilities sit with the behaviour support practitioner and some responsibilities sit with the implementing provider. You will do a better job if you know who is responsible for what. If you have a list of behaviour support practitioners’ responsibilities, you can feel confident in asking them for certain activities in the knowledge it is their role to do so. This delegation of responsibility outlines the BSP responsibilities.

It’s important to note that reviews may need to occur more frequently if there are significant changes in the participant’s circumstances or needs. The behaviour support practitioner should monitor the plan’s effectiveness and adjust as necessary, even between formal annual reviews.If you are seeking comprehensive and practical knowledge as an implementer of restrictive practice you can access a bundle of Behaviour Support modules here. If you have multiple staff requiring access to the courses, please contact us for a discount.