The process for authorising restrictive practices within behaviour support
While it is not an Authorised Program Officer’s (APO’s) role to write behaviour support plans, APOs need to have a broad understanding of the behaviour support plan process and where restrictive practice sits within that process.
APOs must also use critical thinking to provide holistic support, assessing what constitutes a good behaviour support plan, what to look for in a behaviour support plan prior to authorisation and what questions APOs need to ask before authorising.
Working collaboratively with the Behaviour Support Practitioner is core to an APO’s role. This should commence from the outset, when a Behaviour Support Practitioner is appointed.
An APO should not wait for a draft plan to be sent to them before engaging with the Behaviour Support Practitioner. Start the conversation early in the process and encourage Behaviour Support Practitioners to reciprocate.
APOs need to feel confident questioning the use of restrictive practice within behaviour support plans if they have any doubts as to quality, compliance or the plan’s efficacy.
There are resources to help APOs understand how to write good quality behaviour support plans and assess their quality, such as Promoting Positive Behaviour Support Practice.
This e-Manual collates several resources to support APOs with this process.
Guidelines for authorising regulated restrictive practices in Victoria (downloads Word doc).
Communicating the APO role to others
A common problem reported by APOs is communicating the complexity of their role to others.
This can be to Behaviour Support Practitioners, who may consider the APO more of a ‘rubber stamp’ formality.
This may also be to the APO’s organisation, including the depth of expertise and level of responsibility managed.
Importantly, APOs need to be able to explain their role to the people with disability who are relying on them to ensure their legal and human rights are upheld and that their behaviour support plans are safe and effective.
New APOs also report needing help understanding the process and detail of their role.
Ensuring the APO themselves and those they work with have a clear understanding of an APO’s scope is important when working together.
It is also essential that employing organisations understand the APO role when allocating the resources APOs need to do their job correctly, safely and legally.
Several process maps have been developed to support APOs in understanding the process of reviewing, assessing and authorising restrictive practices and explaining your role (and timeframes required) to others.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)-behaviour support process
For NDIS-funded behaviour support plans
- NDIS process overview (open printable image)
- Step 1: Appointing an Authorised Program Officer (open printable image)
- Step 2: Interim behaviour support plan (open printable image)
- Step 3: Comprehensive behaviour support plan (open printable image)
- Step 4: Review process, reporting & audits (open printable image)
Victorian disability services provider process
For plans NOT funded through the NDIS