Good Company Disability Services Pty Ltd
Effective Date: 29 May 2025
Review Date: 29 May 2026
Contact: [email protected]

1. Purpose

This policy outlines Good Company’s approach to supporting participants who may display behaviours of concern. As an unregistered provider of NDIS supports, Good Company is committed to delivering ethical, proactive, and rights-based behaviour support strategies that do not involve restrictive practices under any circumstances.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All employees, support workers, contractors, and volunteers

• Participants supported by Good Company

• Families, carers, and professional stakeholders involved in participant care

3. Definitions

4. Guiding Principles

• Person-Centred Practice – Supports are tailored to the individual’s needs, preferences, and values.

• Human Rights Commitment – Participants are supported with dignity, safety, and autonomy in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

• Zero Tolerance for Restriction – Good Company does not use restrictive practices under any circumstances.

• Prevention and Early Support – Behaviours are understood in context, and addressed with positive, non-restrictive strategies.

• Compliance – This practice complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the NDIS Practice Standards on the date noted as effective date on this policy.

5. Legal and Regulatory Context

Good Company operates in accordance with:

• NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018

• NDIS Code of Conduct

• NDIS Practice Standards (applicable to unregistered providers)

• Relevant state/territory laws regarding restrictive practices and duty of care

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

6. Positive Behaviour Support Practices

6.1. Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)

• Observational and data-informed processes conducted collaboratively with allied health professionals

• Aims to understand the purpose behind behaviours and identify triggers

6.2. Individualised Support Strategies

• Plans include proactive tools such as:

  • Communication aids (e.g., key word signs, visuals)

  • Choice-making opportunities

  • Sensory modulation

  • Predictable routines and transitions

• Escalation responses focus on de-escalation, safety, and reassurance—not restriction

7. Prohibition on Restrictive Practices

As an unregistered NDIS provider, Good Company:

• Is not legally authorised to implement restrictive practices

• Cannot and will not use physical, chemical, mechanical, or environmental restraint, or seclusion

• Will not support or condone any third party to apply restrictive practices on its behalf

Important: Any use of restrictive practices by staff, whether intentional or accidental, will be treated as a serious breach of policy and may result in disciplinary action including termination of employment and reporting to relevant authorities.

8. What to Do When a Behaviour Escalates

9. Examples of Proactive Supports

Staff are encouraged to use a wide range of positive, ethical supports:

• Visual aids (schedules, cues)

• Social stories and role plays

• Calm zones or quiet activities

• Sensory regulation tools (weighted items, noise-cancelling headphones)

• Breaks and redirection before distress escalates

• Positive reinforcement and communication supports

10. Referral Pathways for Restrictive Practice Needs

If a participant is assessed as potentially requiring restrictive practices:

• Good Company will initiate an urgent review with the participant’s support team

• The matter will be escalated to the Support Coordinator and/or parent or guardian

• Where requested, referral will be made to a registered NDIS behaviour support provider

• Good Company may continue non-restrictive support during transition, where it is safe to do so

11. Behavioural Risk Management

• Behavioural risks are identified during intake and monitored through support delivery

• Risks are recorded in the organisational risk register and reviewed regularly

• Coordinators and senior staff lead behaviour risk reviews following incidents or plan changes

• This process links to our Safeguarding & Risk Management Policy

12. Roles and Responsibilities

13. Training and Staff Capacity

All staff receive:

• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) training from participants’ specialists where recommended and agreed to by the NDIS participant and/or their guardian

• Ongoing training in industry best practice, communication, and where applicable, available from the participants’ specialist and agreed to by the NDIS participant and/or their guardian trauma-informed care, and/or emotional regulation

• Education on the legal and ethical prohibition of restrictive practices

• Escalation procedures for risk and emergency responses

14. Advocacy and Participant Rights

Participants have the right to:

• Be supported in the least intrusive, most respectful manner

• Decline support strategies they are uncomfortable with

• Be involved in all planning decisions

• Access independent advocacy services upon request

15. Related Policies and Documents

• Safeguarding & Risk Management Policy

• Incident Management Policy

• Complaints Management Policy

• Participant Rights and Advocacy Policy

• Risk Register and Behaviour Incident Log Procedures

16. Review

This policy will be reviewed:

• Annually

• After any incident involving behaviours of concern

• If there is a change to NDIS or state/territory legislation

• Following external recommendations from regulatory authorities