Behaviour support
Behaviour support is about creating individualised strategies for people with disability that are responsive to the person’s needs, in a way that reduces and eliminates the need for the use of regulated restrictive practices.
Behaviour support focuses on evidence-based strategies and person-centred supports that address the needs of the person with disability and the underlying causes of behaviours of concern, while safeguarding the dignity and quality of life of people with disability who require specialist behaviour support.
Both specialist behaviour support providers (who engage NDIS behaviour support practitioners), and providers who use regulated restrictive practices (implementing providers), must meet the requirements outlined in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018.
The role of the Senior Practitioner
The Senior Practitioner leads the NDIS Commission’s behaviour support function. It is the role and responsibility of the Senior Practitioner to:
- Oversee NDIS behaviour support practitioners and implementing providers who use behaviour support strategies and regulated restrictive practices
- Provide best practice advice to practitioners, providers, participants, families, and carers
- Receive and review provider monthly reports on the use of regulated restrictive practices
- Follow up on reportable incidents that suggest there are unmet behaviour support needs
How to contact us about behaviour support
Practice Quality Division – Practice Quality Reponses team – Behaviour Support (NDIS Commission): behavioursupport@ndiscommission.gov.au
NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioners: ndispractitioners@ndiscommission.gov.au
Behaviour Support Practitioner Suitability Process
The NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 (section 5) define an ‘NDIS behaviour support practitioner’ as ‘a person the Commissioner considers suitable to undertake behaviour support assessments (including functional behavioural assessments) and to develop behaviour support plans that may contain the use of restrictive practices’.
This means that behaviour support plans which may include restrictive practices can only be developed by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner considered suitable to do so. In addition, the NDIS behaviour support practitioner must be engaged by a provider who is registered by the Commissioner under section 73E of the NDIS Act (2013) to provide specialist behaviour support services.
The same applies to behaviour support (including functional behaviour) assessments.
The practitioner suitability process involves the self-assessment of a behaviour support practitioner against the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Capability Framework and an application to the NDIS Commission for consideration of suitability. The self-assessment and application should be consistent with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner Application) Guidelines 2020
There are 3 steps to the practitioner suitability process:
1. Review all relevant documents to prepare for the application
2. Complete the application via the application portal
3. Access your Practitioner Suitability Outcome
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner Application) Guidelines 2020 set out how a practitioner can use the below tools to support an application to be considered an NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
The Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework
The Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework focuses on the knowledge and skills that underpin contemporary evidence-based practice. It reflects the diversity and variation of the sector’s capability in delivering behaviour support and provides a pathway for recognition and professional progression for behaviour support practitioners.
The aim of the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework is to strengthen the safeguards for people receiving behaviour support, and to demonstrate a commitment to the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices. It establishes clear expectations for behaviour support practitioners and assists them to move towards a higher standard of practice. The framework has four practitioner levels – core, proficient, advanced and specialist.
Assessment against the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework forms the basis for determining suitability as an NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
Self-assessment Resource Guide for the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework
This Self-assessment Resource Guide complements the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Capability Framework. Its broad purpose is to provide guidance to behaviour support practitioners (whether they are registered providers or employed or otherwise engaged by registered providers) on how to assess their own capabilities against the PBS Capability Framework.
The Guide also provides a toolkit of resources that behaviour support practitioners can use to:
- self-assess their capabilities against the PBS Capability Framework
develop a Portfolio of Evidence that may be used when applying to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner for a determination of their suitability to undertake activities that, under the NDIS Act, can only be undertaken by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
This guide outlines how to use the Applications Portal to apply to be considered suitable as an NDIS behaviour support practitioner.
There are two options when completing an application for suitability:
1. Self-Assessment pathway
Practitioners who are able to complete the self-assessment process as outlined in the Self-assessment Resource Guide for the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework,
2. Alternative Assessment pathway
New entry-level behaviour support practitioners applying to be considered suitable as an NDIS behaviour support practitioner may have limited portfolio evidence. This fact sheet provides guidance on how to complete the alternative assessment process.
Please ensure all required documents and evidence are uploaded correctly, to avoid unnecessary delays in the consideration of your application.
Once an application has been submitted, the applicant may be asked for more information or work practice examples to assist in the assessment process. See Responding to a Request For Information through the Applications Portal. A failure to respond to a request for information is likely to result in a delay in considering your application for suitability.
You will receive an email notification that an outcome has been recorded on your practitioner application. If you are considered suitable, the NDIS Commission will update your access so you can login to the NDIS Commission Portal. You will receive a second email with an activation link that you must click on to complete you practitioner profile access. This email is auto-generate and is easily picked up junk mail filters. Please check you SPAM or junk mail filters for this email if you cannot find it.
Use the provider portal to manage your ‘Practitioner Profile’ and access your application outcome letter. If you are not considered suitable, or there is an information request on your application, you will continue to log in through the applications portal.
The NDIS Commission has developed a Quick Reference Guide to provide information to NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioners regarding the Practitioner Profile.
NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioners: ndispractitioners@ndiscommission.gov.au
- Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework (2019)
- Self-assessment Resource Guide for the PBS Capability Framework (Updated 2020)
- Self-assessment Tools for the PBS Capability Framework, including:
- Self-assessment Tool for the PBS Capability Framework – Core Practitioner
- Self-assessment Tool for the PBS Capability Framework – Proficient Practitioner
- Self-assessment Tool for the PBS Capability Framework – Advanced Practitioner
- Self-assessment Tool for the PBS Capability Framework – Specialist Practitioner
- Endorsement Tool and Consent
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS behaviour support practitioner application) Guidelines 2020
- Applying to be considered suitable as an NDIS behaviour support practitioner
- Fact sheet: New behaviour support practitioners: Applying for suitability
- Practitioner Profile – How to Update Practitioner Profile
- Responding to a Request For Information through the Applications Portal
Which restrictive practices are regulated and what providers are required to do
A restrictive practice means any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 certain restrictive practices are subject to regulation. A restrictive practice is a regulated restrictive practice if it is or involves seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint and environmental restraint.
The Regulated Restrictive Practices Guide was developed for registered NDIS providers and NDIS behaviour support practitioners supporting NDIS participants. It may also be of interest to anyone who supports a person with disability. The guide supports a contemporary positive behaviour support framework.
The guide explains what a restrictive practice is, and sets out information on the five types of regulated restrictive practices. It also highlights possible impacts of, and important considerations for, the use of regulated restrictive practices. It will assist registered NDIS providers and NDIS behaviour practitioners to meet their obligations under the NDIS Act 2013 and relevant Rules.
The Regulated Restrictive Practices with Children and Young People with Disability: Practice Guide focuses on the use of regulated restrictive practices with NDIS participants aged under 18 years. It aims to promote the rights of children and young people with a disability, identify special considerations and relevant safeguards, highlight the obligations of NDIS providers and provide advice consistent with contemporary evidence and a positive behaviour support framework. The guide was developed for registered NDIS providers and NDIS behaviour support practitioners. It may also be of interest to participants, their families, and others supporting children and young people with disability.
Surveillance Technology Practice Guide
The Surveillance Technology Practice Guide aims to clarify what is considered ‘surveillance technology’ and assist in identifying circumstances where surveillance technology could be used as part of a regulated restrictive practice. The guide highlights the ethical, human rights, privacy and practice issues with the use of surveillance technology. It outline best practice considerations and safeguards when using surveillance technology with people with disability. This guide was developed for registered NDIS providers including specialist behaviour support providers but may also be of interest to anyone who supports a person with disability.
Safe Transportation Practice Guide
The purpose of the Safe Transportation Practice Guide is to:
- promote the rights and inherent dignity of people with disability,
- assist in identifying the use of regulated restrictive practice when transporting people with disability,
- highlight the special considerations and safeguards relevant to the use of transportation for people with disability,
- provide practice advice consistent with a positive behaviour support framework, contemporary evidence informed practice and the intent to reduce and eliminate the use of restrictive practices, and
- assist registered NDIS providers and NDIS behaviour support practitioners to meet their obligations under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act 2013) and relevant Rules.
Registration requirements for the use of regulated restrictive practices
The Registration requirements for the use of regulated restrictive practices guide is a flow chart that assists participants and their families to identify the types of supports that only a registered NDIS provider can deliver. It also identifies the options available when an unregistered provider is currently involved and using a regulated restrictive practice. An accessible version of the flow chart is included in the appendix.
Compendium of Resources for Positive Behaviour Support
This compendium of resources provides behaviour support practitioners with a comprehensive list of assessment tools that can be used for the purposes of behaviour support assessment, planning, intervention, monitoring and review. It also includes a list of national and international Internet Resources that cover a range of areas of practice in relation to behaviour support.
Practices that present high risk of harm to NDIS participants: Position Statement
The Practices that present high risk of harm to NDIS participants position statement outlines practices that place participants at high risk of harm and are associated with adverse and catastrophic outcomes for participants, such as long-term psychological or physical injury and death. The practices fall within two categories: specific forms of physical restraint and punitive approaches. NDIS providers (registered and unregistered) must not use these practices. Use of these practices must cease immediately, and should be replaced with proactive and evidence-informed alternatives based on risk assessment. Use of these practices by NDIS providers constitutes a serious breach of the NDIS Code of Conduct. The NDIS Commissioner will take strong action against any provider and individuals that engage in these practices.
Quality of Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) – results of a national audit
The quality of comprehensive BSPs lodged over a 14 month period were audited by the NDIS Commission using the Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation II Tool and the NDIS Companion Tool. The BSPs were assessed and rated across several domains. The BSP Quality paper provides the results of this audit including the domains that were adequately and inadequately addressed and highlights the need for improvement to increase the quality of BSPs.
Policy Guidance: Developing Behaviour Support Plans
This Policy Guidance outlines the NDIS Commissioner’s expectations of specialist behaviour support providers and NDIS behaviour support practitioners when developing behaviour support plans that contain regulated restrictive practices.
Policy Guidance: The safe reduction and elimination of regulated restrictive practices (RRPs)
This Policy Guidance outlines the NDIS Commissioner’s expectations of NDIS providers when reducing and eliminating regulated restrictive practices to ensure this occurs in a safe and competent manner with care and skill.
Policy Guidance: Working within your knowledge, skills, and experience
This Policy Guidance outlines the NDIS Commissioner’s expectations of NDIS providers, NDIS behaviour support practitioners and NDIS workers to work within the scope of their knowledge, skills, and experience; and to engage in continuing professional development to ensure the delivery of high quality and safe supports and services.
Regulated Restrictive Practices Summary and Protocols
This template replaces the existing regulated restrictive practice protocols in the NDIS Commission’s behaviour support plan templates. It was informed by extensive consultation and represents the first step in the release of a revised suite of behaviour support plan templates. Use of this template is not mandatory, however specialist behaviour support providers are expected to ensure that they update and align their practice with this guidance to promote the reduction and elimination of regulated restrictive practices.
Revised Interim and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan templates V3.0
The revised BSP templates reflect contemporary evidence-informed practice and are approved by the NDIS Commissioner for the purposes of section 23 of the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018.
These templates were informed by extensive consultation and thematic analysis as described in the BSP Template review: Summary of Findings.
Interim and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan Checklists
The Behaviour Support Plan Checklists outline good practice and the conditions of registration that apply to specialist behaviour support providers when developing behaviour support plans. They aim to help practitioners and providers to check the quality of behaviour support plans and ensure compliance with requirements. Use of the checklists is optional. They do not need to be submitted to the NDIS Commission.