Exploring how increasing agency and building capable environments can reduce the use of restrictive practices for people with intellectual disability
Thursday, 4 Sep 2025
12:30pm – 1:30pm (AEST – Sydney time)
2:30pm – 3:30pm (NZST – New Zealand time)
Webinar: via Zoom
Cost
- Free for members
- $30 for non-members
About
This presentation will be about a collaborative project between Community Living Options, Decision Agency and The University of South Australia. The project led to the development of a framework which integrated key supported decision making principles, environmental review and personal goal setting into the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) process, to reduce behaviours of concern and reduce the use of restrictive practices for people with intellectual disability.
The project created a structured process and set of tools that was based on current research and best practice approaches including:
- Supported decision making
- Person-centred active support
- Building capable environments
- Community-Based Tiered Positive Behaviour Support
These tools aim to support practitioners and support teams to:
- Understand a person’s environment and supports
- Make adjustments to support a more individualised approach
- Set goals that reflect what the person wants and needs
- Reduce behaviours of concern
- Reduce or avoid the use of restrictive practices
This presentation aims to briefly explore:
- Academic foundations of the project
- Development of the framework
- Discuss the process for the development of the tools
- Share stories of implementation and use of the tools
- Reflections of project
Intended Audience: Anyone who is interested in understanding how improving someone’s agency (activity or action) and building capable environments can influence the prevention or reduction of restrictive practices.
Speakers
Melanie Ingham
PBS Manager at Community Living Options
With over 30 years of experience in the disability sector, Melanie is a trusted expert in supporting people with complex behaviours. She focuses on a human rights-based, trauma-informed approach, making sure the voices of participants are heard throughout the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) process. Melanie believes that individuals and their families know what’s best and works closely with them to provide the right support. She is also passionate about sharing her knowledge by speaking at conferences, teaching, and mentoring future professionals.
Kind, friendly, and dedicated, Melanie is committed to creating inclusive, person-centred care that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
Dr Michelle Browning
Founder of Decision Agency
Michelle first heard about supported decision-making when she was working as a substitute decision maker for people under guardianship in NSW. The concept challenged and inspired her. She travelled to Canada and England on a Churchill Fellowship to explore what good decision support looked like in practice. Her desire to know more led Michelle to do research into the process of supported decision-making. She completed her doctorate in 2018 and founded her consultancy Decision Agency. Through the work of Decision Agency Michelle aspires to make supported decision-making research and practice knowledge accessible to all.
Throughout this journey Michelle has helped develop, implement and evaluate trials of supported decision-making practice across Australia. She has assisted government and non-government organisations to produce resources, policy and practice guidelines. Michelle facilitates training, practice groups and supervision for supporters wanting to build their confidence as practitioners. She also provides training for decision makers wanting to understand more about decision making and their rights.