Department of Human Services
About the Senior Practitioner in Victoria
‘The Senior Practitioner is responsible for ensuring the rights of persons who are subject to restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment are protected and that appropriate standards in relation to restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment are complied with.’ Disability Act 2006, Section 23 (2) (a)
Restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment
Restrictive interventions
A restrictive intervention includes any intervention used to restrict the rights and freedom of movement of a person with a disability and can include the use of chemical, physical or mechanical restraint or seclusion[1].
Restrictive interventions can only be used to prevent the person hurting themself or others and require an approved Behaviour Support Plan to be in place before an intervention is used.
Compulsory treatment
Compulsory Treatment is treatment of a person who is admitted to a residential facility, under direction of a court order as specified in section 152(2) of the Disability Act or who is subject to a supervised treatment order issued by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal as specified in section 191 of the Act.
For more information on restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment see part seven (Restrictive Interventions) and part eight (Compulsory Treatment) of the Disability Act.
The role of the Senior Practitioner
The role of the Senior Practitioner is to:
· evaluate and monitor the use of restrictive interventions in disability services
· develop guidelines and standards
· provide education and information to disability service providers
· develop links to professionals and academic institutions to facilitate knowledge and training in clinical practice
· Research restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment.
The Senior Practitioner can:
· Visit, talk to and inspect any disability service.
· See any person who is subject to any restrictive intervention or compulsory treatment.
· Investigate, audit and monitor the use of any restrictive interventions or compulsory treatment.
· Direct a disability service provider to discontinue a restrictive practice.
The vision of the Senior Practitioner
The Senior Practitioner aims to create an inclusive and safe community that supports people to achieve dignity without restraints.
The work of the Senior Practitioner is guided by the underlying principles from The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 and United Nations Convention on Rights for People with Disabilities.
These principles include: human rights and citizenship; quality of life and wellbeing; community inclusion; and promotion of individualised positive behaviour support.
In addition, the Senior Practitioner has been involved in a number of research projects. The results of these projects have helped us to understand how best to support people who show behaviours of concern (harm to self or others).
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This document is also available on the Internet at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/officeofprofessionalpractice
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.
About the Senior Practitioner in Victoria 2
[1] Chemical restraint: medicines that are used for controlling behaviour. This does not include medicines for treating a physical or mental illness.
Mechanical restraint: materials used to stop a person moving parts of their body freely. This does not include seat buckle guards to enable safe travel.
Seclusion: refers to being locked in a room or area alone that the person is unable to leave.
Physical restraint: physical force to prevent movement of a person’s body which is not physical assistance or guidance.
Other restraints: any other restrictive practices that restrict movement, such as locks on doors.