The Disability Act is unique because it also mandates research into the use of restrictive interventions, and the provision of education to services involved in supporting people with a disability.
Every year all the results of research projects are published in the Senior Practitioner Report.
From 2007 to 2018, the Senior Practitioner undertook or commissioned 43 research projects, resulting in 21 peer-reviewed publications and 25 research reports published by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The research projects cover:
- behaviour support plans and training
- chemical restraint
- mechanical restraint
- seclusion and physical restraint
- restraint reduction
- research with people with a disability who are subject to restrictive interventions
- compulsory treatment.
A summary of these projects can be found in:
- Eleven years of research findings by the Senior Practitioner – Disability, 2007–2018 (Word) - Feb 2020.
- Recent published research on the use of long-term restrictive practices (PDF) - July 2020
Most of the articles mentioned within this document are available from the Victorian Senior Practitioner on request.
Read the Service guidelines for Supported Independent Living (PDF)
About the Service Guidelines for Supported Independent Living
Who these guidelines are for
People with disability using Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports have the same rights as all people to:
- live a fulfilling, valued life
- be treated with dignity and respect.
The guidelines are for all staff working in Supported Independent Living settings. This includes direct support staff and those in management roles. The guidelines describe staff as 'SIL providers'.
The guidelines outline the support that SIL providers are expected to provide. They emphasise the importance of human rights and of a person-centred approach. The guidelines note that SIL providers:
- are responsible for understanding their legal obligations
- must continue to comply with all relevant requirements and practice standards set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is the national regulator for NDIS providers and workers.
These guidelines also:
- offer additional guidance to support high-quality, rights-based service provision
- do not replace any obligations under the NDIS Commission standards. For example, the Restrictive Practice and Behaviour Support Rules, 2018.
Who these guidelines are about
People with disability, like all people, are diverse. They have unique needs, preferences, and strengths. This diversity extends to their cultural backgrounds and a range of intersecting identities. These guidelines are about adults with disability who use NDIS-funded SIL supports.
How the guidelines were developed
The Department of Families Fairness and Housing funded Flinders University to write these guidelines. The guidelines were co-designed with:
- people with lived experience using SIL providers
- family members of people using SIL providers
- managers
- team leaders, and
- direct support staff.
What the Service Guidelines for Supported Independent Living say
These guidelines outline fundamental supports as a minimum expectation. They are underpinned by universal human rights principles. These principles include equality and non-discrimination. They emphasise the importance of a person-centred approach. The guidelines emphasise that supports and strategies must:
- be tailored to each person’s unique circumstances
- respect and understand people's their cultural background and intersecting identities.
These guidelines:
- focus on SIL supports funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- help providers to meet their legal obligations to deliver rights-based supports
- aim to promote clarity and consistency in support for people with disability
- aim to foster predictable and high-quality SIL services
- respond to an important need for practical direction while the NDIS Commission finalises new practice standards and related resources
Together, these initiatives aim to establish the foundations for good support.
More information
For more information, see the Victorian Senior Practitioner.
The Victorian Senior Practitioner held its annual Research Seminar on 5 December 2024, below are the presentations and recordings of the event.
- Victorian Senior Practitioner seminar, 5 December 2024 (Read only PDF)
- Victorian Senior Practitioner seminar, 5 December 2024 (PDF)
- Victorian Practitioners Seminar - Insight Studio (video)
- Victorian Practitioner Seminar - Theatre (video)
Contact
Phone: (03) 9096 8427
Email: Victorian Senior Practitioner