Restrictive Practice Tools

This training is available at National Disability Services under the heading of "Recognising Restrictive Practice". It is duplicated here for your convenience but is considered an external resource

Recognising Restrictive Practices is a set of short films and accompanying guide that explore the use of restrictive practices and encourage disability support workers and supervisors to reflect on and talk about less restrictive ways of supporting people with disability.

A short introduction film and seven pairs of films explore the following restrictive practices:

  • Restricted Access
  • Power Control
  • Mechanical Restraint
  • Chemical Restraint
  • Physical Restraint
  • Seclusion
  • Consequence Control

Watch the first clip for each restrictive practice then stop and answer the questions provided. Then watch the second clip to hear what others had to say.

More information about all of the topics covered in these films, as well as links to other materials can be found in the Recognising Restrictive Practices Guide [PDF] [ACCESSIBLE]

Legislation for restrictive practices is different in each state and territory. NDS recommends these films be used within your organisational policies and procedures on restrictive practices and with support from local professionals as required.

These films were funded by the Victorian Government and developed with support from the Victorian Office of Professional Practice.

What are restrictive practices

The short introduction covers four areas:

  • What are restrictive practices?
  • How are restrictive practices used and misused?
  • What is the impact of restrictive practices?
  • What can we do to reduce and eliminate the use of restrictive practices?

Restrictive Access Part 1 

Watch Part 1 to find out more about Restricted Access and see what happens when Tom moves into his new house. Then stop to reflect or talk with your team about the following questions:

  • What did you observe?
  • What impact do you think this has on the people involved?
  • What would you question about this scenario?
  • What could be done differently?

Restrictive Access Part 2 - Reflections

Part 2 features people with disability, support workers and practice leaders talking about Restricted Access.

Power Control Part 1

Watch Part 1 to find out more about Power Control and see what happens when Tom cooks his first dinner for his new housemates. Then stop to reflect on or talk with your team about the following questions:

  • What did you observe?
  • What impact do you think this has on the people involved?
  • What would you question about this scenario?
  • What could be done differently?

Power Control Part 2 - Reflections

Part 2 features people with disability, support workers and practice leaders talking about Power Control.

Mechanical Restraint Part 1

Watch Part 1 to find out more about Mechanical Restraint and see what happens to Jai when the group head out for the day. Then stop to reflect or talk with your team about the following questions:

  • What did you observe?
  • What impact do you think this has on the people involved?
  • What would you question about this scenario?
  • What could be done differently?

Mechanical Restraint Part 2 - Reflections

Part 2 features people with disability, support workers and practice leaders talking about Mechanical Restraint.

Chemical Restraint Part 1

Watch Part 1 to find out more about Chemical Restraint and see what happens to Kim when his WiFi connection drops out. Then stop to reflect or talk with your team about the following questions:

  • What did you observe?
  • What impact do you think this has on the people involved?
  • What would you question about this scenario?
  • What could be done differently?

Chemical Restraint Part 2 - Reflections

Part 2 features people with disability, support workers and practice leaders talking about Chemical Restraint.

Physical Restraint Part 1  

Watch Part 1 to find out more about Physical Restraint and see what happens to Kim on movie night. Then stop to reflect or talk with your team about the following questions:

  • What did you observe?
  • What impact do you think this has on the people involved?
  • What would you question about this scenario?
  • What could be done differently?

Physical Restraint Part 2 Reflections

Part 2 features people with disability, support workers and practice leaders talking about Physical Restraint.

Seclusion Part 1

Watch Part 1 to find out more about Seclusion and see how Jai’s afternoon in the garden turns out for him. Then stop to reflect or talk with your team about the following questions:

  • What did you observe?
  • What impact do you think this has on the people involved?
  • What would you question about this scenario?
  • What could be done differently?

Seclusion Part 2 - Reflections

Part 2 features people with disability, support workers and practice leaders talking about Seclusion.

Consequence Control Part 1

Watch Part 1 to find out more about Consequence Controland see what happens when Ray and Lesley go out for lunch. Then stop to reflect on or talk with your team about the following questions:

  • What did you observe?
  • What impact do you think this has on the people involved?
  • What would you question about this scenario?
  • What could be done differently?

Consequence Control 2 - Reflections

Part 2 features people with disability, support workers and practice leaders talking about Consequence Control.

Acknowledgement

[As mentioned above this entire page is replicated from the NDS website for your convenience, you can find the original and similar resources there]