The Department of Human Services has encouraged South Australians to have their say on new safeguards for people living with disability.
The Department said consultation was now open on the NDIS Restrictive Practices Authorisation Scheme – Stage 2, which were the guidelines that set out how an authorising scheme for restrictive practices would operate.
It said restrictive practices were regulated under the NDIS Act and could include a range of practices that restricted a person’s freedom – ranging from changes in the home, such as a lock on a cupboard, through to physically restraining someone’s movement.
Chief Executive for the Department of Human Services, Lois Boswell said South Australian legislation passed this year established an authorisation scheme that would ensure such practices were used only as a last resort and in consultation with the person with disability or their guardian.
“We want South Australians with disability, their families and carers, as well as NDIS providers and the disability sector, to have their say and work with us to ensure that the guidelines are clear, simple and effective,” Ms Boswell said.
“This will be key to building better protection on the use of restrictive practices.”
Ms Boswell said the Restrictive Practices Guidelines provided further details about the operation of the scheme, ensuring the process of authorisation aligned with best practice.
She said this included additional detail about practice approaches and guidance on the use of force, the use of restrictive practices for children, appeals and other matters.
Ms Boswell said South Australia’s restrictive practices authorisation scheme would become operational in 2022.
Interested readers can have their say on Stage 2 of the Guidelines until Friday, 17 September at this PS News link.
