An argumentation analysis of testimony about positive behaviour support and chemical restraint in Australia’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Abstract

Introduction

Australia’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2019–2023) is examining, amongst many issues, how positive behaviour support (PBS) can address challenging behaviour and reduce the use of restrictive practices, particularly chemical restraint. This study explores the basis of the claims made about this during testimony.

Materials and methods

Applying existing recommendations for the study of Royal Commissions, this study uses argumentation analysis of testimony.

Results

Three central claims about PBS were identified: practitioners, behaviour support plans, and chemical restraint. Comparison with Australian research shows preparation of behaviour support practitioners is poor, behaviour support plans do not show a clear benefit to people with disability, and chemical restraint remains a persisting issue with no viable way forward.

Discussion

The analysis highlights the difference between perceptions of PBS and the current Australian evidence underlying it. The barriers to the promotion of PBS to address restrictive practices in Australian disability services prompts reconsideration of the policy expansion to address restrictive practices in other sectors.

Keywords:

• Positive behaviour support
• chemical restraint
• behaviour support plan
• Royal Commission
• argumentation analysis
• behaviour support practitioner

Disclosure statement

The author reports there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the transcript of public hearing 6 of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au. These data were derived from the following resources available in the public domain: https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/public-hearings/public-hearing-6.

Additional information

Funding

Sources of funding and other support; role of funders in data collection, interpretation, and reporting