Special Edition - March 2026

  Navigating QA Panel readiness

The Communities Register commenced operations on 1 February 2026. Implementing Providers can now book an Independent Practitioner online to convene a Quality Assurance (QA) Panel. Access to an Independent Practitioner from the Register is free when booked through Communities.

Ensuring a Behaviour Support Plan is ready for QA Panel

In line with the Procedure Guidelines for Authorisation of Restrictive Practices in NDIS Funded Services [1], Implementing Providers must declare the following Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) requirements are met as part of the booking process:

1. The BSP containing the restrictive practice(s) to be reviewed at QA Panel is current and not expired.

2. The BSP includes evidence of engagement with the person who the BSP is about, as well as key stakeholders.

3. All restrictive practices that are used or proposed are included and described in the BSP.

4. There is sufficient information in the BSP to address all principles for the use of each restrictive practice.

5. A reduction and elimination plan is included as part of the BSP.

Documented evidence of these requirements in the BSP is essential for a QA Panel to then determine if a restrictive practice should be authorised or not.

Ensuring all required information is provided to Independent Practitioners in a timely manner

It is also important that Implementing Providers send the BSP and associated documents to the assigned Independent Practitioner more than five days before the QA Panel date. This will help ensure the QA Panel can proceed and Independent Practitioners are prepared for the QA Panel.

The Behaviour Support Consultancy Team

For any questions about readiness for QA Panels or the online booking process, please email the Behaviour Support Consultancy Team at
QAP@communities.wa.gov.au

How to book

• visit the Book an Independent External Practitioner webpage
• complete the online booking form

For assistance, please email QAP@communities.wa.gov.au

[1] Procedure Guidelines for Authorisation of Restrictive Practices in Funded Disability Services Policy

 Upcoming education

The following sessions will be held online through Microsoft Teams.

To register: Please click on the session title, which will take you to Eventbrite, and then select your preferred date.

ARP Policy Overview Session for disability service providers and Behaviour Support Practitioners:

• Thursday 30 April 2026, 10.30am–12pm AWST

• Thursday 4 June 2026, 10.30am–12pm AWST

ARP Policy Deep Dive: Reduction and Elimination of Restrictive Practices for disability service providers and Behaviour Support Practitioners who have a good understanding of restrictive practices and are familiar with the Policy:

• Monday 4 May 2026, 1.30pm–3pm AWST

• Wednesday 17 June 2026, 1.30pm–3pm AWST

Positive Behaviour Support and Authorisation of Restrictive Practices (formerly Introduction to Positive Behaviour Support) for Senior Managers/Delegates on QA Panels:

• Thursday 7 May 2026, 1.30pm–3pm AWST

Authorisation Requirements and Quality Assurance Panels (formerly QA Panels Intro Session) for Behaviour Support Practitioners (for authors of behaviour support plans and practitioners sitting on QA Panels) and for Senior Managers/Delegates on QA Panels:

• Wednesday 13 May 2026, 9.30am–12.30pm AWST

• Wednesday 24 June 2026, 9.30am–12.30pm AWST

ARP Policy Deep Dive: Out of Scope Practices for disability service providers and Behaviour Support Practitioners:

• Wednesday 6 May 2026, 10.30am–12pm AWST

• Monday 8 June 2026, 1.30pm–3pm AWST

ARP Quality Assurance Panels Practice Sessions – Scenario: 'Kate' – practice scenario for Behaviour Support Practitioners (for authors of behaviour support plans and practitioners sitting on QA Panels) and Senior Managers/Delegates on QA Panels who have completed an Authorisation Requirements and QA Panels Session (formerly QA Panels Intro Session):

• Wednesday 20 May 2026, 1.30pm–3.30pm AWST

ARP Policy: Supported Decision Making for disability service providers and Behaviour Support Practitioners:

• Thursday 11 June 2026, 10.30am–12.30pm AWST

Email BehaviourSupportConsultancy@Communities.wa.gov.au if you want to know more about the sessions.