Overview of RPA Panels

What is an RPA Panel?

Under the Restrictive Practices Authorisation (RPA) Policy, an RPA Panel is the mechanism for authorising the use of restrictive practices by NDIS registered service providers in NSW. It is a formal meeting of appropriately qualified people to decide whether to grant or decline authorisation for the use of a restrictive practice according to the requirements of the RPA Policy.

The NSW Government ensures that restrictive practices are authorised within the behaviour support policy framework regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

How does an RPA Panel work?

RPA Panels receive submissions requesting authorisation of restrictive practices via the NSW (DCJ) RPA portal. Submissions must include a Behaviour Support Plan (BSP), consent and supporting documentation.

Panels review and evaluate the proposed use of any restrictive practice to ensure that behaviour support strategies are appropriate in the context of the provider’s operations to minimise or eliminate use of restrictive practices and achieve intended therapeutic outcomes. Panels will only consider an application where the BSP’s author is appropriately registered.

The RPA Panel will decide whether to authorise the use of a restrictive practice and will record its decision in an Outcomes Summary. The Panel will also decide the duration (no more than 12 months) and any conditions of the authorisation. The Behaviour Support Practitioner and service provider can access a copy of the Outcomes Summary via the NSW (DCJ) RPA portal.

Who sits on an RPA Panel?

An RPA Panel must include a minimum of two people:

• a manager familiar with the operational considerations around the use of a restrictive practice in the intended service setting who chairs the RPA Panel
• a specialist with expertise in Behaviour Support, provided by DCJ or sourced by other means, who is independent of the service provider.

An RPA Panel may include additional members, such as a senior clinician familiar with the clinical governance considerations around the use of a restrictive practice in the intended service setting, a member of the community, or an advocate. No member of the RPA Panel can bring an application for the Panel’s consideration.

Who attends an RPA Panel?

Where appropriate, the person with disability should participate in the RPA Panel meeting, relating to their behaviour support plan. All interested stakeholders are encouraged and should be welcome to attend RPA panels.

It is highly recommended that the Behaviour Support Practitioner who conducted the assessment and prepared the BSP, or a similarly knowledgeable person, attend the RPA Panel meeting to answer questions from the Panel.