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Restrictive practices: what families need to know
Keeping your child or family member safe matters. So does protecting their dignity, choice, independence and right to be understood.
A restrictive practice is any action that limits a person’s rights, freedom of movement or access to everyday things. These practices are sometimes used when there is a serious and immediate risk of harm, but they do not address the reason the behaviour is happening.
This is why they should only ever be considered as a last resort, alongside a clear plan to reduce and eventually remove their use.
How restrictive practices can show up at home
Many families do not set out to use a restrictive practice. They are often doing the best they can in difficult moments, trying to manage serious safety concerns with limited support.
Examples can include:
- Locking a fridge, pantry, cupboard or bedroom to prevent access
- Holding a child or adult so they cannot move freely
- Using equipment or clothing to limit movement for the purpose of managing behaviour
- Using medication primarily to control behaviour
- Preventing a person from leaving a room, home or area
- Using a car restraint in a way that goes beyond its normal safety purpose and is intended to restrict a child’s movement or behaviour
For example, an age-appropriate car seat used for transport safety is not automatically restrictive. Context, purpose, the person’s needs and whether the support limits rights or freedom all matter.
You are not in trouble for asking for help
Families are not expected to have all the answers. Parenting and caring can be demanding, particularly when there are high levels of distress, self-injury, aggression, absconding, unsafe eating, property damage or other serious risks.
Our role is not to judge your family. We work alongside you to understand what your child or family member may be communicating, what is making life difficult and what support will reduce risk in a safer, more sustainable way.
Our approach
Positive Behaviour Support begins with understanding
We look at what happens before, during and after difficult moments, as well as communication, health, sensory needs, trauma, relationships, routines, environment and unmet needs.
If a restrictive practice is currently being used, our focus is to identify the least restrictive option, put safeguards in place and develop a clear plan to reduce and remove it over time.
Together, we can develop practical strategies that may include
- Preventing distress before it builds
- Making routines, communication and choices clearer
- Teaching safer ways to communicate needs
- Supporting emotional regulation and co-regulation
- Adjusting the environment without unnecessarily limiting access or choice
- Helping everyone respond consistently and calmly
- Creating a plan that protects safety while working towards less restrictive support
NDIS providers
What happens when NDIS providers are involved?
The NDIS Commission does not regulate families’ independent parenting or caring practices. However, NDIS providers delivering funded supports in your home must meet specific behaviour support, authorisation and reporting requirements if regulated restrictive practices are involved.
This does not mean you need to manage the process alone. A suitable behaviour support practitioner can work with you, your child or family member, support workers, school or day care, health professionals and other important people to develop an individualised plan.
The five regulated restrictive practices and the rules that apply
This page is general information, not legal advice. For specific obligations, refer to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and your provider’s own policies.
Start with a conversation
If you are worried about safety at home, feel that you are running out of options, or have been told that something may be a restrictive practice, please contact us.
You do not need to have the right words or know what type of support you need. We will listen, help you understand the situation and work with you to find a safer way forward.