What Are
Restrictive Practices?
Restrictive practices refer to various interventions or measures used to control, manage, or limit the freedom of individuals. It may als be known as seclusion and restraint. These practices are often employed in educational, healthcare, or social care settings to address challenging behaviours and ensure the safety of all involved. While some restrictive practices may be necessary in certain situations, they raise human rights concerns and should be used sparingly, ethically, and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Examples of restrictive practices include:
- Physical Restraints: Physically limiting a person’s movement using force.
- Chemical Restraints: Using medications to influence behaviour, usually through sedation or the modification of the individual’s mental state.
- Seclusion: Isolating an individual in a separate room or area to prevent them from harming themselves or others.
- Mechanical: Using devices to prevent, restrict, or subdue a person’s movement.
- Environmental: Modifying the environment to restrict a person’s access to certain areas or activities.
What Are the Limitations of Restrictive Practices?
It is important to note that the use of restrictive practices should be a last resort, and alternatives that respect the dignity and rights of individuals should be explored first. Resolution Education, alongside various governments, organisations, and professionals aims to minimise the use of restrictive practices and promote more positive and supportive approaches to behaviour management. Laws and regulations also exist to protect the rights of individuals and ensure that any use of restrictive practices is lawful, justified, and monitored closely.
There are various guidelines around restrictive practices, and it is required that they are:
- Only used in limited circumstances and as a last resort
- The least restrictive response possible to ensure the safety of all involved
- Only used for the shortest possible time to ensure the safety of all involved
- Only used when underpinned by a positive Behaviour Support Plan
Our Commitment
At Resolution Education, we are committed to empowering individuals and teams with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest standard of care while minimising the need for restrictive practices.
We prioritise the cultivation of situational awareness, effective communication, and de-escalation skills, along with the deployment of a range of preventative strategies. Our emphasis is on proactively reducing the need for restrictive practices and empowering individuals with the necessary tools and techniques to navigate challenging situations before they escalate.
All our restrictive practices training programs are conducted under the close supervision of experienced trainers. These trainers ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while fostering a clear understanding of restrictive practices and the ethical implications of safe methods to minimise harm.
Read more about our Restraint Training. Contact us on the form below to discuss your workplace training requirements
