What is the role of the Quality Assurance Panel?
The Quality Assurance Panel (Panel) reviews the proposed restrictive practices in the Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) against the following principles of use and either approves or does not approve their use. Any recommended regulated restrictive practices must:
- be clearly identified in the BSP
- be used only as a last resort in response to a risk of harm to the person with disability and/or others, and after the Implementing Provider has explored and applied other evidence-based, person-centred and proactive strategies
- be the least restrictive response possible in the circumstances to ensure the safety of the person and/or others:
- when considering whether a restrictive practice is the least restrictive, it should be considered within a context of other alternatives that have an evidence base for being effective in addressing the presenting behaviour of concern.
- reduce the risk of harm to the person with disability and/or others
- be in proportion to the potential negative consequence or risk of harm
- be used for the shortest possible time to ensure the safety of the person with disability and/or others.
Who is on a Quality Assurance Panel?
A Panel must consist of at least two members with a decision-making role:
- A senior manager (or their delegate) with the Implementing Provider with operational knowledge and relevant experience in behaviour support.
- An NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner who is not the BSP author and not employed by the Implementing Provider.
Additional members may be included in the Panel, in accordance with the Implementing Provider's policies and procedures, and the person with disability’s specific circumstances.
There is no requirement for Panel meetings to be face-to-face. Telephone, teleconference and video conferencing facilities may be used.
In circumstances where there are multiple providers that will be implementing the restrictive practice(s) captured in a BSP for one individual, the providers need to come together to contribute to the Panel process outcome.
What are the responsibilities of Panel members?
Implementing Provider responsibilities:
- Appoints the Chair for the Panel.
- Convenes or accesses Panel meetings.
- Arranges administrative support to the Panel.
- Ensures the NDIS authorisation process reporting requirements are met.
External NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner responsibilities:
- Acts in an impartial way and makes decisions based on the objective evidence and information available to support the decision at the time.
- Ensures the authorisation application is evidence-based, that the described practice is the least restrictive to ensure the safety of the person and/or others.
- Ensures the restrictive practice is suitable for the behaviours of concern.
How do Panels make a decision?
The Panel makes a decision to either approve or not approve a restrictive practice and must be supported by all members (be unanimous).
The Panel must also:
- specify how long the authorisation applies for (not exceeding 12 months)
- detail any conditions they decide to impose as part of the approval of the restrictive practice(s)
- be recorded in the Quality Assurance Outcome Summary Report.
For more information refer to the restrictive practices resources page.
