Least restrictive alternative

When contemplating health care for a person with developmental disability, the overriding consideration should be what is least restrictive for the person (ie does not restrict their rights or freedom of movement).

It is now recognised that practices that limit the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability can present serious human rights infringements, and may constitute abuse; Australia has made a national commitment to reduce and eliminate use of restrictive practices in the disability services sector¹. To avoid these practices and minimise harm, healthcare providers should be aware of what constitutes a restrictive practice and the best practice management of behaviours of concern in a person with developmental disability.

Restrictive practices can be defined differently in each state and territory. Forms of restraint and considerations if used for challenging behaviour in a person with developmental disability outlines the main forms of restraint and considerations if they are required to manage challenging behaviour in a person with developmental disability. For more information, see the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission website.

Ensuring the least restrictive alternative means prioritising the welfare and participation of the person with developmental disability over the convenience of others (eg supporting the person with developmental disability to do an activity, rather than not doing the activity, or the support person doing the activity for the person). See also Person-centred care.

¹ Australian Government, Department of Social Services. National framework for reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practices in the disability service sector.Return