Compulsory treatment allows for the detention and treatment of a person who is admitted to a residential treatment facility or subject to a supervised treatment order under the Disability Act (2006).
Detention is a form of environmental restraint, a regulated restrictive practice, used on a person for the purpose of reducing the risk of violence or the significant risk of serious harm that the person presents to another person. This includes physically locking a person in any premises, and/or constantly supervising or escorting a person to prevent the person from exercising freedom of movement.
A residential treatment facility is a highly restrictive environment proclaimed under the Disability Act (2006) to provide compulsory treatment, including offence specific and related programs and holistic support under the framework of the Therapeutic Feedback Model.
A disability service provider or registered NDIS provider cannot detain a person with a disability unless the specific requirements for a supervised treatment order contained in Part 8 of the Disability Act (2006) are met.
A supervised treatment order is a civil order made by the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) under section 193 of the Disability Act (2006).
The Victorian Senior Practitioner is responsible under the Disability Act (2006) for ensuring that the rights of persons who are subject to restrictive practices and compulsory treatment are protected and that appropriate standards are complied with.
The compulsory treatment team supports the functions and responsibilities of the Victorian Senior Practitioner under the Disability Act (2006) and broader work with forensic disability stakeholders.
These functions include;
- Supervising the implementation of a supervised treatment order
- Reviewing treatment plans and developing treatment plan certificates
- Representing the Victorian Senior Practitioner at VCAT Hearings
- Developing guidelines related to compulsory treatment
- Providing advice and education about compulsory treatment to disability providers and NDIS providers
- Offering consultations, advice, and information for disability providers and NDIS providers, related to individuals with disabilities who may require compulsory treatment.
Guidelines for supervised treatment orders and other compulsory treatment resources can be found on our Victorian Senior Practitioner resources page.