National Principles for Communicating about Restrictive Practices with Consumers and Carers
Overview
These Australian national principles guide mental health services in communicating with consumers and carers about restrictive practices. Developed in 2016, they emphasize that restrictive practices are last resorts requiring dignified communication. The principles cover communication before, during, and after restrictive practices occur, emphasizing prevention, debriefing, and trauma-informed approaches.
Key insights
Key Insights
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Restrictive practices must always be treated as last resort
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Communication requires dignity, respect, courtesy and compassion throughout process
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Information should be individualised based on a person's unique circumstances
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Consider accessibility factors like age, literacy, culture, language barriers
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Involve carers, family, peer workers if consumer wishes participation
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Prevention through wellness plans and identifying triggers is essential
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Debriefing after incidents is mandatory for all affected parties
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Acknowledge trauma element and offer counselling support when appropriate
Did this resource draw on transformative evidence?
This resource was developed with experiential expertise. It explicitly states the principles were "developed with consumer and carer expert knowledge and advice" by the Restrictive Practice Working Group. However, the document doesn't detail the extent of consumer/carer involvement in the development process or provide specific examples of how their lived experiences directly shaped the final principles.
The document indicates this resource incorporates practice wisdom through its development by the Restrictive Practice Working Group of mental health professionals and endorsement by the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Principal Committee. It reflects ten years of reduction activities and aims to provide consistent approaches based on accumulated professional experience in mental health services.
The document does not explicitly reference research studies, evaluation data, or evidence-based findings. While it mentions "ten years of reduction activities" and references National safety priorities and National Standards, it doesn't detail specific research methodologies, evaluation outcomes, or empirical evidence that informed the development of these communication principles.
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Categories
Resource type
Practice Guideline