NDIS and Reducing Restrictive Practice: Dr. Erin Leif’s Presentation Sparks Discussion
Hearth Allied Health’s “Reducing Restrictive Practices and Upholding Human Rights in NDIS-PBS: Practical Strategies for Practitioners” event held at the Glen Eira City Council Theatrette in Caulfield was a great success.
The response from all attendees and the online participants has been overwhelmingly positive! online participants described the event as “awesome,” “great,” and “excellent“.
Dr Erin Leif PhD, BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst)
“I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to Dr Leif for delivering such an outstanding and thought-provoking presentation. Her passion and advocacy for improving support outcomes in the disability sector were truly inspiring, and I couldn’t help but feel motivated by her words. Thank you so much, Dr Leif, for sharing your expertise and insights with us.”
Dr Erin Leif is a globally recognised behaviour analyst who is a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and Senior Lecturer at Monash University. Erin is enthusiastic about the science of human behaviour, learning, language, and cognition (why we do what we do!).
Erin’s primary research interests involve the exploration of strategies for building the capacity of the workforce to better support individuals with additional needs (especially children and young people with behaviours of concern, who are most at risk for exclusion and social isolation).
Dr Erin Leif is particularly interested in knowledge translation research. For Erin, knowledge translation involves collaborating with professionals, educators, parents, and individuals to exchange information about what works, and what we need to do better to solve socially important problems.
Dr Erin Leif Addressed the Following at the Positive Behaviour Support Event
During her presentation, Dr Erin Leif discussed the challenges that positive behaviour support (PBS) practitioners may encounter when attempting to reduce and eliminate the use of restrictive practices.
Additionally, Dr Leif discussed practical strategies that might help practitioners address and overcome these challenges.
Moreover, Dr Leif also shared practical strategies for delivering PBS in ways that are consistent with the principles described in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Attendee learning outcomes were:
- Identify different types of restrictive practices.
- Describe ways to reduce the use of restrictive practices as part of the provision of PBS.
- Describe ways to uphold the human rights of people with disability as part of the provision of PBS.
Dr. Erin Leif’s Presentation Sparks Discussion
The event did raise questions and discussion about the use of restrictive practice in the disability sector and Australia’s commitment to and the alignment of the following.
- The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
- The Australian National Framework for Reducing and Eliminating the Use of Restrictive Practices in the Disability Service Sector (2013)
- The NDIS Positive Behaviour Support guidelines and funding model.
Continuing these conversations (see video for full discussion) and taking action to ensure that the rights and needs of persons with disability are respected and upheld is crucial for creating a more inclusive society.
We are grateful to everyone who participated and look forward to continuing this important conversation.
Panel Discussion
I would also like to express my gratitude to the discussion panel members, Dr. Bennett and Megan Phillips, for their significant and insightful contributions to this critical conversation.
- Dr Chad Bennett – Clinical Director & Consultant Psychiatrist at the Victorian Dual Disability Service.
- Megan Phillips – Hearth Allied Health Director of Positive Behaviour Support
Additional Resources
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, Volume 69, Issue 1 (2023)
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/yjdd20/69/1
Six Core Strategies to Reduce Seclusion and Restraint Use
NASMHPD Publications
https://www.nasmhpd.org/content/six-core-strategies-reduce-seclusion-and-restraint-use
Why Has Hearth Created This Event?
This event is part of a series of professional development opportunities at Hearth, bringing together leaders in the field of Positive Behaviour Support.
At Hearth, we believe that we have a collective responsibility to promote best practice and share our expertise with the broader NDIS community.
We Are Recruiting!
We’re excited to announce that we’re currently seeking passionate individuals who share our mission to build true interdisciplinary support. If you are looking for an opportunity to start or advance your career in Positive Behaviour Support or Allied Health (including Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy), we’d love to hear from you! Join us on our journey to make a positive impact in people’s lives and become a valued member of the Hearth family.”
If you would like to know more about Hearth Allied Health (including Positive Behaviour Support), Hearth Housing and or Hearth Support Services, please direct your enquiry to info@hearthaustralia.com.au or call us on 1800 894 013
General Manager, Hearth Allied Health
