The Victorian Senior Practitioner has the power to issue prohibitions and directions under the Disability Act 2006.
The Victorian Senior Practitioner responsibilities:
- Responsible under the Disability Act, 2006 (Disability Act) for ensuring that the rights of people who are subject to regulated restrictive practices and compulsory treatment are protected and appropriate standards are complied with.
- Responsible for the authorisation of chemical and environmental restraint and the approval for use of seclusion, mechanical and physical restraint and the approval of treatment plans for people who are subject to compulsory treatment orders.
- Through the process of authorisation and approval of regulated restrictive practices and compulsory treatment, the Victorian Senior Practitioner can assist service providers reduce their use of restrictive practices and compulsory treatment.
- Has special powers under section 27 of the Disability Act in respect of the use of restrictive practices and compulsory treatment by disability services and registered NDIS providers.
- In addition to the powers under section 27, the Victorian Senior Practitioner may give written directions to registered NDIS providers, disability service providers, a specified registered NDIS provider or disability service provider or specified class of registered NDIS providers or disability service providers regarding the use of restrictive practices or a specified restrictive practice under sections 132ZY, 147A, 201I and 201O.
Our purpose
We are committed to upholding human rights and improving the quality of life for vulnerable Victorians with disability. We do this by building the capability of the disability sector to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices through:
- education and training
- practice leadership
- research and data collection
- monitoring service provision
- systematic collaboration
Our vision
A confident, cohesive VSP leads a capable and connected sector. The sector reduces the use of restrictive practices and prioritises human rights, lived experience and self determination. This vision reflects our long term aspiration: a system that applies, understands and sustains safeguards for people with disability.
Safeguarding practice - Victorian Senior Practitioner 1-5 year plan (Word)
Meet Kylie Bowden
Kylie Bowden became the Victorian Senior Practitioner on 27 May 2025. Kylie is a registered psychologist with postgraduate qualifications in clinical psychology, a NDIS registered advanced and specialist forensic positive behaviour support practitioner, and an experienced leader with over 25 years' experience working across government and non-government sectors in disability, forensic disability, advocacy and mental health services.
Kylie has extensive experience in the leadership, development, and management of multidisciplinary teams within the disability, child protection out-of-home care and allied health sectors, particularly in areas related to restrictive practices, compulsory treatment, positive behaviour support and evidenced-informed person-centred service delivery models. She has built a career focused on advancing the rights, safety and wellbeing of people with a disability across their lifespan, including those with complex needs.
Kylie has contributed to statewide policy, clinical governance and training initiatives aimed at finding innovative solutions to best practice to improve service delivery to people with a disability. She is passionate about influencing evidence-informed practice at a systems-level while advocating for dignity, choice and inclusion for people with a disability.
Our responsibilities for NDIS participants
- The approval of Authorised Program Officers (APOs).
- Authorising the use of regulated restrictive practices in NDIS behaviour support plans.
- Providing additional approval of seclusion, mechanical and physical restraints and other types of restrictive practices as directed.
- Prohibiting practices or sub-sets of practices and prohibiting use for certain cohorts of people - for example, people with a psycho-social disability.
Our responsibilities for state funded participants
- Authorised Program Officers appointed by disability service providers are approved by the Secretary.
- Authorised Program Officers approve the inclusion of a regulated restrictive practice in a behaviour support plan if it is in accordance with the Disability Act.
- Authorised Program Officers must lodge the plan with the Victorian Senior Practitioner.
More information
For more information, see the Victorian Senior Practitioner and Victorian Senior Practitioner Annual Reports.
Contact
Phone: (03) 9096 8427
Email: Victorian Senior Practitioner