Behaviours of Concerns [BoC]

• Behaviours of concern are actions or behaviours that may cause harm to oneself or others, or may interfere with daily life activities. Some examples of behaviours of concern are:
• Aggression: This includes physical or verbal actions intended to cause harm or injury to oneself or others. Examples of aggressive behavior include hitting, pushing, throwing objects, or yelling.
• Self-harm: This includes intentional actions that cause physical harm to oneself, such as cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. Self-harm may be a sign of underlying mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety.
• Substance abuse: This includes using drugs or alcohol in a way that negatively impacts one’s life, such as causing physical or mental health problems, or interfering with relationships or work.
• Disruptive behavior: This includes behaviours that disrupt daily life activities, such as being consistently late, missing appointments, or not completing tasks on time. Disruptive behavior can also include being argumentative, uncooperative, or disrespectful towards others.
• Risky behavior: This includes behaviours that put oneself or others at risk of harm, such as driving under the influence, engaging in unprotected sex, or participating in dangerous activities.

At My Therapies, our Positive Behaviour Therapy services are delivered in a compassionate, person-centred environment. We are committed to providing high-quality care that helps individuals develop new and positive behaviours, reduce problematic or challenging behaviours, and achieve their goals.

Restrictive Practices [RP]

Restrictive practices are defined as any intervention, treatment, or support that restricts a person’s movement, physical freedom, communication, or access to the community. In South Australia, restrictive practices are regulated by the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 and the Disability Regulations 2019. The aim of these regulations is to minimize the use of restrictive practices and promote the human rights, dignity, and autonomy of people with disabilities.

Under the Disability Regulations 2019, restrictive practices can only be used in exceptional circumstances where all other options have been explored and proven to be ineffective or unsuitable. The use of restrictive practices must be approved by a restrictive practices authorisation panel, which includes representatives from the disability sector, health care, and legal professions. The panel reviews and approves applications for restrictive practices and monitors their use.

Some examples of restrictive practices that require approval include

• Physical restraint,
• Chemical restraint,
• Seclusion, and
• Environmental restrictions.

These practices must be used only as a last resort and for the shortest time necessary. There are strict requirements around the use of restrictive practices, including the need for regular reviews, monitoring, and reporting.

In South Australia, there is also a focus on promoting positive behavior support and person-centred approaches that prioritize the dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing of people with disabilities. This includes providing training and support for disability service providers and families in alternatives to restrictive practices, such as positive behavior support, communication strategies, and environmental modifications