COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Restrictive Practices in Aged Care course. This program is designed to provide aged care providers, managers, and workers with the knowledge and skills to understand, implement, and minimise the use of restrictive practices in aged care settings.
Restrictive practices, while sometimes necessary to ensure safety, must be approached with caution, adhering to legal, ethical, and person-centred principles.
This course begins with an overview of restrictive practices, including their definition, purpose, and types, while emphasising the importance of aligning practices with consumer rights and the frameworks that govern aged care in Australia.
The course provides an in-depth look at the types of restrictive practices used in aged care, including chemical, environmental, mechanical, and physical restraints, as well as seclusion. Understanding each type, their appropriate applications, and their potential impacts is essential for ensuring their use is justified, minimal, and safe.
Legal and regulatory requirements are at the heart of managing restrictive practices. This section will explore the Aged Care Act 1997, the Quality of Care Principles 2014, and NDIS requirements where applicable, ensuring participants understand their obligations and responsibilities. These regulations provide a foundation for ethical decision-making and compliance.
A person-centred approach is critical in aged care, particularly when restrictive practices are considered. You will learn how to uphold consumer rights, apply the principle of least restrictive practice, and explore alternatives that prioritise safety while respecting the autonomy and dignity of consumers.
Behaviour support plans are an essential tool in managing behaviours that may otherwise require restrictive practices. This course will guide you in developing, implementing, and reviewing these plans to ensure they are effective, respectful, and aligned with individual needs.
Documentation and informed consent are integral to the ethical use of restrictive practices. You will learn about the requirements for obtaining and managing consent, especially for consumers with impaired capacity, and maintaining clear, accurate records that meet regulatory standards.
Each type of restrictive practice is examined in detail. You will explore the application, risks, and alternatives for chemical, environmental, mechanical, and physical restraints, as well as seclusion. Practical examples and strategies will help you balance safety and consumer freedom while minimising harm.
Minimising restrictive practices requires a proactive approach. This section will introduce strategies such as positive behaviour support, engaging consumers in care planning, and ensuring staff are trained and educated on non-restrictive alternatives.
Emergency situations may necessitate temporary restrictive practices. You will learn to define emergencies, apply temporary measures within strict limitations, and meet reporting and documentation requirements to ensure accountability and transparency.
Ethical considerations are at the core of managing restrictive practices. This section will emphasise balancing consumer autonomy with safety, addressing cultural and linguistic diversity, and maintaining consumer dignity in all decisions and actions.
Monitoring and compliance are vital for ensuring restrictive practices are used appropriately. You will learn how to conduct internal audits, meet external oversight and reporting requirements, and understand the consequences of non-compliance.
Alternatives to restrictive practices are explored in detail, including diversion and de-escalation techniques, environmental modifications, and therapeutic interventions. These approaches align with person-centred care principles and reduce reliance on restrictive measures.
Engaging consumers and their families is essential for transparency and trust. You will learn to educate families about restrictive practices, involve them in decision-making, and address concerns and complaints with empathy and clarity.
The course concludes with case studies and examples, offering insights into the misuse of restrictive practices, successful implementation of alternatives, and the management of complex behavioural situations. These real-world scenarios provide practical context and reinforce the principles covered in the course.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage restrictive practices ethically and effectively, while prioritising consumer dignity, autonomy, and safety in aged care settings.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Restrictive Practices
- Definition and Purpose
- Types of Restrictive Practices
- Legal and Ethical Frameworks
2. Overview of the Types of Restrictive Practices
- Chemical Restraint
- Environmental Restraint
- Mechanical Restraint
- Physical Restraint
- Seclusion
3. Legal and Regulatory Requirements
- Overview of the Aged Care Act 1997
- Quality of Care Principles 2014
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Requirements
4. Person-Centred Approaches to Care
- Rights of Consumers in Aged Care
- Least Restrictive Practices
- Alternatives to Restrictive Practices
5. Behaviour Support Plans
- Purpose and Importance
- Developing a Behaviour Support Plan
- Monitoring and Reviewing Plans
6. Documentation and Consent
- Requirements for Informed Consent
- Record Keeping for Restrictive Practices
- Managing Consent for Consumers with Impaired Capacity
7. Chemical Restraint in Practice
- Definition and Examples
- Safe Use of Psychotropic Medications
- Monitoring and Reducing Dependency
8. Environmental Restraint in Practice
- Managing Consumer Access
- Maintaining Safety Without Restriction
- Balancing Safety and Consumer Freedom
9. Mechanical Restraint in Practice
- Types of Mechanical Restraints
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Therapeutic Use vs Behavioural Control
10. Physical Restraint in Practice
- When Physical Restraint is Appropriate
- Techniques to Minimise Risk and Harm
- Alternative Approaches to Physical Restraint
11. Seclusion in Practice
- Definition and Impact on Consumer Dignity
- Situations Requiring Seclusion
- Preventing and Reducing Seclusion
12. Strategies to Minimise Restrictive Practices
- Implementing Positive Behaviour Support
- Engaging Consumers in Care Planning
- Staff Training and Education
13. Emergency Use of Restrictive Practices
- Defining Emergencies
- Temporary Measures and Their Limitations
- Reporting and Documentation Requirements
14. Ethical Considerations
- Balancing Consumer Autonomy and Safety
- Addressing Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
- Respecting Consumer Dignity
15. Monitoring and Compliance
- Internal Audits for Restrictive Practices
- External Oversight and Reporting Requirements
- Consequences of Non-Compliance
16. Alternatives to Restrictive Practices
- Diversion and De-escalation Techniques
- Environmental Modifications
- Therapeutic Interventions
17. Consumer and Family Engagement
- Educating Families on Restrictive Practices
- Involving Families in Decision-Making
- Addressing Concerns and Complaints
18. Case Studies and Examples
- Lessons Learned from Misuse of Restrictive Practices
- Successful Implementation of Alternatives
- Analysing Complex Behavioural Situations
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.